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April 17, 2012

Thompson Statement on Secret Service Incident in Colombia

(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement regarding the U.S. Secret Service incident in Cartagena, Columbia and the impending investigation:

Although the Secret Service has been forthcoming and helpful in this matter, we must ensure all facts are uncovered and proper investigation takes place. We must determine what happened in Colombia, if the President's safety was ever jeopardized, and whether adequate protocols were in place to secure officers' equipment, firearms and insignia during off-duty hours. We need to determine whether this was an isolated occurrence.

I will work to ensure a swift, thorough, and transparent investigation – not just of the individual agents involved but also those in charge who should have instilled rules to assure safety. We must make sure an incident like this never occurs again.

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Media Contact: Adam Comis at (202) 225-9978