White House Crashers' "Stunning" Slip

(CBS)  It may be the most infamous Washington "break-in" since Watergate. But two days later the Secret Service still can't explain how a fame-seeking couple managed to crash the White House state dinner, reports CBS News correspondent Bob Orr.

A Bravo network spokesperson says crews from the reality show "The Real Housewives of DC" were with Michaele and Tareq Salahi the day they went to the White House, but the crews didn't go to the White House and saw no reason to doubt the couples claims they were invited.

Lights flashed as the celebrity-seekers brazenly strolled -- uninvited -- into the White House state dinner and mingled with DC's power elite. And their caper may have gone undetected had the couple not bragged about it hours later on Facebook.

White House Party Crashers Shock Outsiders

The Secret Service says a security check point failed - an unimagineable breach, says CBS News White House correspondent Mark Knoller.

"This is no laughing matter," Knoller said. "No one is supposed to get into this building or onto these grounds that isn't invited."

The Salahis' attorney offered a cryptic defense, saying, "the Salahis' did not 'crash' this event. We look forward to setting the record straight very soon."

Michaele, rumored to be headed for Bravo's "Real Housewives" reality TV series, is not talking. Neither is her husband. But, their neighbors are surprised.

"You never think something like that would happen, and again it just seems that they like the attention," said Karen Frantz, a neighbor of the Salahis.

The couple, accused of "high-level" trespassing, has not been charged with a crime. But, Orr said, a vigorous security review is on.

Edwin Gomez and Peggy Ioakim, who did Michaele Salahi's hair and makeup for the gala event, told "Early Show" co-anchor Harry Smith that they were stunned to hear the couple hadn't actually been invited to the dinner.

"Our D.C. clientele are always invited to these big events," Ioakim said. "I was not suspicious at all."

When asked how the couple had gotten on the exclusive state dinner guest list, Ioakim said that Michaele Salahi told them she had gotten the invitation in the mail and even called the White House to make sure she would be dressed appropriately.

"Me knowing [Michaele] for several years, I got home that night and was stunned… I'm still very shocked," Gomez said of learning the two had crashed the party.

They're not the first people to crash a notorious party. In 1998, Michael Purfoy crashed music's biggest party of the year, the Grammys, by dancing shirtless with the words "Soy Bomb" scrawled across his chest while Bob Dylan played. And there were no laughs in 2003 when a self-described "comedy terrorist" slipped past security at Windsor Castle and crashed Prince William's 21st birthday celebration. A feature film was even made about crashing parties - 2005's "Wedding Crashers."

Long-time gatecrasher Scott Weiss, who has crashed all kinds of big events and made a documentary about his adventures, told Harry Smith that he was "shocked" when he heard about the Salahis' slipping past the Secret Service.

"I've often talked about crashing the White House, but I've never been dumb enough to do it."

[ownevels]

Prosecute these Bozos and severely discipline whoever let them in. But be thankful for the wake-up call. This will only make it harder for a real threat to get through. And security for the president of the United States (no matter what party) should ALWAYS be better than that of some nightclub that will not admit you if you can't prove you're 21.

[jfc15009]

"Social occasions are only warfare concealed."

[BirdHarmony]

This is a travesty not to mention a total breach of security.
Anyone who thinks this is just a Hollywood punked move or thinks this is joke needs to decide what they'd do if a total stranger came into their house uninvited. These people obviously are in the same category as balloon boys parents and their punishment needs to be swift and strong. The news media needs to STOP having these people in front of the camera as this is what is feeding their almighty egos and making them feel way too BIG for their britches.

[rogermedanich]

Why all the buzz? This provides a perfect example of the irony of open-borders liberalism. Accordingly, these folks are simply trying 'to provide a better living for their family.' There is no difference in them and the multitudes who cross the U.S. borders daily. After all, the laws they broke are 'too harsh.' The laws 'are racist.' The 'laws need to be reformed.' These folks simply 'went to the front of the line' just like many in this administration are proposing for other law breakers in this country.

roger medanich

[jd2408]

This is NOT just a matter of crashing a party and the news media is down playing big time. This is a matter of placing the President of the United States at risk. This is no joke. I know that most sane and mature Americans understand how serious this is and will be more so in the future.
These people need to be prosecuted and heads need to roll in the "so called" Secret Service.

[dragnet44]

Unlike the fascist federalists, most Americans know how to have a good time. No one got hurt, no one got robbed, no one got bumped getting their picture taken with the fascists. People need to know that the homeland security is just a civil service job that is filled with the people who can't get a job anywhere else. Take a deep breath. This has more to say about Americans being Americans, than any threat of nuclear war or assassination. They have a word for people who think they are being watched, or everyone is out to get them. Don't be one of those fascists.

[jd2408]

You people don't have the brains God gave a cockroach. This is a serious threat to ANY President regardless of party. The "nothing happened" and Americans know how to party attitude is one for complete idiots like you.

[gtttrades]

Right after this happened, they were bragging on Facebook that they had crashed the party. This morning on TV they are claiming that they had an invitation. On of these is a lie.

[sonofsummarex]

You drag them in for questioning and make them talk.If they refuse you "hold" them as threats to national security for a very long time!

Whether they are calling in false missing children in balloons or crashing presidential parties, it's time to start treating these publicity seeking sorts like real criminal deserving of real jail sentences rather than naughty children.

FYI: If anyone thinks this is funny. consider that a trained assassin can kill you with his bare hands faster than the SS can pull him off of you. This is a very serious breech of security.

[kbbpll]

Yes, a trained assassin could kill someone with their bare hands, but not this bald fat pompous dumb@ss!