White House defends Secret Service chief

Associated Press

WASHINGTON

The White House expressed renewed confidence Thursday in the director of the Secret Service in the midst of a sordid prostitution scandal that has threatened to become a serious political distraction in an election year. A key lawmaker who oversees the Secret Service predicted more firings there soon.

President Barack Obama’s chief spokesman, Jay Carney, noted that some Secret Service employees involved already have lost their jobs, just days into the government’s formal investigation of the incident last weekend in Colombia, where Obama was to attend a summit meeting. Carney also said the president’s security in Cartagena was never compromised, and he asked for patience as official investigations continue.