U.S. officials are investigating how a drunk man gained access to the home of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in the middle of the night without being detected by the Secret Service personnel on duty. Sullivan was forced to ask the man to leave after he found him in his home around 3 a.m., according to The Telegraph. Three government officials told the Washington Post that there were no signs of forced entry into Sullivan's home. Sullivan was always accompanied by a Secret Service agent, but the agents were unaware that the man had entered Sullivan's bedroom in the West End neighborhood of Washington until he had actually left.
Sullivan, who is an advisor to President Joe Biden, alerted the security agents. According to those informed about the incident, the man appeared confused about his whereabouts and there were no indications that he knew Sullivan or intended to confront him. The Secret Service stated in a press release that the security breach is a significant concern and that they have launched an investigation.
Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi told the Washington Post, "While no one was harmed, we take this matter seriously and have opened a comprehensive investigation to ensure the mission reviews all aspects of what occurred." He added, "Any deviation from our protection protocols is unacceptable, and if discovered, individuals will be held accountable."
**Increased Security**
Guglielmi noted that additional security measures have been put in place around Sullivan's home, which will remain until the investigations are completed. Typically, the person who enters the home of someone protected by the Secret Service would be detained and questioned, but the man left before that was possible. This has caused concern among White House officials, particularly with the intensification of security measures for Sullivan in 2021.
Previously, National Security Advisors were only granted protection when outside of Washington, but this policy was changed following the revelation of an Iranian plot to assassinate John Bolton, a former National Security Advisor, in 2021. Sullivan has served as National Security Advisor since he took office. He is a former aide to Barack Obama, aged 46.
