December 1, 2009 10:34 AM
- Text
Congressman Wants Secret Service Review
(CBS/AP)
A New York lawmaker says he wants a review of the Secret Service after a Virginia couple was able to get into Tuesday's White House state dinner uninvited.
Democratic Rep. Edolphus Towns, who chairs the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, says the party crashing "compromised the safety and security of the president" and undermined the nation's confidence in the agency.
Michaele and Tareq Salahi , shaking hands and speaking with him at the function.
Towns has asked for a briefing on the matter next week.
The incident has sparked just as much concern from Republicans such as Towns's fellow New Yorker Rep. Peter King, the ranking Republican on the Homeland Security Committee.
"To think that two basically wackos were able to work their way in and be standing with the president of the United States," King told CBS News. "They could have grabbed any blunt object that was in there. They could have grabbed a fork or knife off one of the tables."
The Secret Service says it was "deeply concerned and embarrassed" that the Salahis were able to get in without an invite. The agency has acknowledged its officers never checked whether the two were on the guest list before letting them in.
A former Secret Service director told CBS News Correspondent Kimberly Dozier he's been told there will be a thorough internal investigation to determine who let them pass.
"It's difficult to know exactly whether or not this individual unilaterally decided to disregard the process the procedures in place," Ralph Basham told Dozier. "Or perhaps the confusion, the East Room, the entrance there caused part of the problem."
The Salahis' lawyer will only say, "My clients were cleared, by the White House, to be there. More information is forthcoming."
Not, so far, from the Salahis. At their Virginia home, a note says they'll be back Monday.
But their neighbors are talking about a couple they say spent too much time, and perhaps too much money, climbing up the Virginia social ladder of parties and polo matches.
A string of tradesmen claim they were never paid after the couple's lavish wedding, which was posted on YouTube.
"We had many occasions when tow trucks and other people have come looking for them because they want to be paid," horse stable owner Karen Frantz told Dozier.
Bravo Media has confirmed that Michaele Salahi is being considered as a participant in the upcoming "The Real Housewives of D.C."
Democratic Rep. Edolphus Towns, who chairs the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, says the party crashing "compromised the safety and security of the president" and undermined the nation's confidence in the agency.
Michaele and Tareq Salahi , shaking hands and speaking with him at the function.
Towns has asked for a briefing on the matter next week.
The incident has sparked just as much concern from Republicans such as Towns's fellow New Yorker Rep. Peter King, the ranking Republican on the Homeland Security Committee.
"To think that two basically wackos were able to work their way in and be standing with the president of the United States," King told CBS News. "They could have grabbed any blunt object that was in there. They could have grabbed a fork or knife off one of the tables."
The Secret Service says it was "deeply concerned and embarrassed" that the Salahis were able to get in without an invite. The agency has acknowledged its officers never checked whether the two were on the guest list before letting them in.
A former Secret Service director told CBS News Correspondent Kimberly Dozier he's been told there will be a thorough internal investigation to determine who let them pass.
"It's difficult to know exactly whether or not this individual unilaterally decided to disregard the process the procedures in place," Ralph Basham told Dozier. "Or perhaps the confusion, the East Room, the entrance there caused part of the problem."
The Salahis' lawyer will only say, "My clients were cleared, by the White House, to be there. More information is forthcoming."
Not, so far, from the Salahis. At their Virginia home, a note says they'll be back Monday.
But their neighbors are talking about a couple they say spent too much time, and perhaps too much money, climbing up the Virginia social ladder of parties and polo matches.
A string of tradesmen claim they were never paid after the couple's lavish wedding, which was posted on YouTube.
"We had many occasions when tow trucks and other people have come looking for them because they want to be paid," horse stable owner Karen Frantz told Dozier.
Bravo Media has confirmed that Michaele Salahi is being considered as a participant in the upcoming "The Real Housewives of D.C."
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