Secret Service Responds To Report Armed Man Approached Obama At Restaurant
Reports have emerged regarding an incident in which an armed man allegedly approached former President Barack Obama outside a Los Angeles restaurant on Saturday. The former president's security detail was said to have failed in preventing the approach, prompting the Secret Service to respond to the claims.
An unidentified security guard, who chose to remain anonymous, recounted the incident to TMZ. He stated that around 7:30 p.m., he encountered an SUV parked outside the Mother Wolf restaurant in Los Angeles.
The guard said he had been working security at a bar mitzvah held above the restaurant when he noticed federal investigators nearby.
“Curious about the situation, the man said he left the venue and saw two agents in an alleyway to his right, while a black SUV with Department of Homeland Security plates was stationed on his left. Believing that a dignitary might be in the vehicle, the man snapped a photo before approaching the SUV. He was shocked to see the former president seated in the back, working on a laptop,” The Independent reported.
“Carrying a firearm at the time, the man said he was concerned that Obama’s security detail might view him as a threat, so he quickly backed away and acknowledged the two men in the alley. The two individuals, who turned out to be Secret Service agents, appeared surprised to see him. About 30 minutes later, the man said his supervisor asked him to provide his credentials and concealed carry permit for the Secret Service to verify,” the outlet added.
The security guard described the situation as “a clear lapse in security” and noted that no one was guarding the rear of the SUV or the nearby stairwell. He mentioned that he could have easily attempted to open the vehicle's door and remarked that the agents appeared “embarrassed by the oversight.”
In response to the claims, the Secret Service disputed the account, calling it "inaccurate."
In an email to Newsweek, a Secret Service spokesperson stated, “The Secret Service cannot share specifics about our protection methods,” but emphasized that "at no point were any protectees of the Secret Service inside the vehicle while the individual was walking through the alley." The spokesperson also stated that the guard took the photo "upon departure, not during the alleged encounter."
This incident surfaces at a time when the Secret Service is under increased scrutiny, following two reported assassination attempts targeting Donald Trump.
Former First Lady Melania Trump recently opened up about the moments when she learned her husband, former President Donald Trump, had survived two assassination attempts.
In an interview on "Fox & Friends," Melania discussed the first attempt, which took place at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in mid-July. She recalled learning about the incident a few minutes after it occurred rather than witnessing it live.
“I rushed to the TV and [rewound] it to watch what had happened,” she shared.
She added, “When you see him on the ground, and you don’t know what really happened.”
The would-be assassin, identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, had positioned himself on a rooftop about 130 yards from the rally and fired multiple shots at Trump. A countersniper fatally shot Crooks, but not before Trump sustained a minor injury to his ear from a bullet.
Two attendees, David Dutch and James Copenhaven, were also injured, while Corey Comperatore, a former fire chief from Pennsylvania, lost his life.
Melania Trump referred to both assassination attempts as "miracles."
The second attempt occurred on September 15, while Trump was playing golf at his club in West Palm Beach. Melania, who was in New York at the time, learned of the attempt via television.
“As soon as I saw it on TV, I called again, and he was fine, thanks to the Secret Service. They did a fantastic job,” she said. “Both of these incidents were truly miracles. When you think about it, July 13 could have been devastating. Just by a hair’s breadth, he might not be with us today.”