Secret Service Director Julia Pierson Resigns

Secret Service Director Julia Pierson has resigned her post, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said in a statement issued Wednesday afternoon. 

Joseph Clancy, formerly the special agent in charge of the Service's Presidential Protective Division, has been named as an acting director.

Pierson came under fire in September after an intruder was able to jump the fence separating the North Lawn of the White House from the Pennsylvania Avenue pedestrian mall in Northwest Washington, D.C., run across the lawn and into the residence before being tackled by a heavily-armed agent. She testified before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on Tuesday. 

Author Ron Kessler joined C-SPAN's Washington Journal on Wednesday to discuss the role of the Secret Service and recent leadership troubles that have plagued the agency. 

At Wednesday's press briefing for White House reporters, Press Secretary Josh Earnest said President Obama wasn't aware of a felonious security contractor who rode an elevator with the president on September 16.

Pierson was sworn into office in March 2013 after a lengthy career in law enforcement, including as an officer for the Orlando Police Department in Florida.