Trump praises arrest of ‘troubled’ White House intruder

President says Secret Service did a ‘phenomenal job’ in first known security breach of executive mansion since he took office

By DARLENE SUPERVILLE 11 March 2017, 10:08 pm

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In this April 17, 2016 file photo, people visit the south lawn during the annual White House Spring Garden tours in Washington. The US Secret Service says a person is under arrest after climbing a fence and getting onto the south grounds of the White House. (AP Photo/Estelle Doro)

POTOMAC FALLS, Va. (AP) — US President Donald Trump said Saturday that the US Secret Service did a “phenomenal job” apprehending a “troubled person” who got onto the White House grounds after climbing a fence on the east side of the property while Trump was inside the executive mansion.

It was the first known security breach at the White House since Trump took office nearly two months ago.

The Secret Service said in a statement that the individual, whom it did not identify, was arrested on the south grounds without further incident after climbing an outer perimeter fence near the Treasury Department and East Executive Avenue at about 11:38 p.m. Friday.

No hazardous materials were found during a search of a backpack the individual carried over the fence, the agency said.

“Secret Service did a fantastic job last night,” Trump said Saturday from his golf club in Northern Virginia. Trump described the intruder as a “troubled person” and “very sad.” He was briefed on the matter Friday night.

Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly also was briefed on the incident, the Secret Service said. Kelly was among several Cabinet secretaries and senior White House staff members who attended a working lunch with the president at the Trump National Golf Club.