November 26, 2009
Posted: November 26th, 2009 08:38 AM ET


Washington (CNN) – Two people without invitations crashed President Obama's first White House state dinner, the U.S. Secret Service said Wednesday.

The Secret Service confirmed a Washington Post report that the couple who crashed Tuesday night's dinner were Tareq and Michaele Salahi. The Post described the couple as polo-playing socialites from northern Virginia.

A Secret Service checkpoint "did not follow proper procedures" to determine if the two were on the guest list for the dinner, said Edwin M. Donovan, a Secret Service special agent, in a statement.

Playing down any security threat, Donovan's statement said: "It is important to note that these individuals went through magnetometers and other levels of security, as did all guests attending the dinner."

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Filed under: Popular Posts • President Obama


jerseylou   November 26th, 2009 11:14 am ET

Be advised every one that had any thing to do with the security detail should be investigated.This is a major security breach and should not be taken lightly.The couple that lied to get into the affair should be examined very thoroughly to see what there motives were.Security should be tighten triple,it makes me sick to think that some wackos got so close to the president.This couple needs to be prosecuted to the fullness extent that the law requires and given prison time.You got to let people know there is a line you can not cross.

mary stewart,arlington texas   November 26th, 2009 11:13 am ET

i am not concerned about the couple crashing...lets take disipline against he secret service agents who let them in....

Secret Service checkpoint "did not follow proper procedures" to determine if the two were on the guest list   November 26th, 2009 11:06 am ET

so this is how you get to go to a state dinner

now I know

I just can't believe it took two socialites from Virginia to show this to all of us that want to go too

luck party crashers

Party Purity will never bring Political Power!   November 26th, 2009 11:01 am ET

Not good and the couple should be prosecuted, if indeed, they were not supposed to be there.

With all the racist whackos on the right, this could have had very tragic results if weapons had previously been hidden and this couple had access to them.

Someone should loose their job(s).

But on the bright side, nothing happened this time and hopefully, security will be tightened in the future.

gary davis Harbor Oregon proud american   November 26th, 2009 10:55 am ET

and who cares they are idiots from northern virginia.. they should be shund by everyone in the country .. if your not invited then don't crash the party.. should lock them up with a bunch of drunks for the night..:)not even funny .. couple of jerks

Dave   November 26th, 2009 10:48 am ET

Rob and Joe seemed very pleased to have a blond pay some attention to them. Must not be used to that.

MikeH   November 26th, 2009 10:40 am ET

It's reassuring to know the Secret Service could have to let through a Right-Wing Martyr squad.

Was it a lapse, or was it something else, a trial run.

ryan   November 26th, 2009 10:39 am ET

This way every one was represented at the hottest party.

Red , blue , brown , and the uninvited.

kas   November 26th, 2009 10:35 am ET

Another example of lackluster incompetence byt the B Hussein administration.

Mike   November 26th, 2009 10:30 am ET

If he can't even keep the White House safe, how is Obozo going to protect the rest of us? Obamatrons want this couple arrested. Funny how they applauded the shoe throwing incident with Bush. Look up hypocrit in the dictionary and there's a picture of a liberal.

Four and The Door   November 26th, 2009 10:25 am ET

I know how they did it. They are not stupid. With Michaele's shiny blonde hair, fabulous makeup and bright red dress, she looked like she must have been from Hollywood. There's always an open seat at the Obama White House for someone from Hollywood!

Scott, Tucson   November 26th, 2009 10:04 am ET

LOL! This administration can't keep two people from crashing the White House, how can they safe guard our borders? Oh wait! Obama and Janet Napolitano wants open borders

ib   November 26th, 2009 10:03 am ET

And you libs think we are safer under King Obama. If they can't protect the white house what are they doing to protect the whole country. May seem minor to you but to me this thing is pathetic just like Obama.

m jeff   November 26th, 2009 9:57 am ET

Reality TV nut jobs.

Richp from the poconos   November 26th, 2009 9:51 am ET

So, no big deal, whats all the hoora about. Spank some perimeter people who should have been checking ID's and be done with it.
Besides, none of our enemies would ever want to harm our president.

Gwen   November 26th, 2009 9:44 am ET

Are you serious? So anyone could have walked in? Were they kicked out during the party or what? Secret Service had better not let anything happen to our President

T'SAH from Virginia   November 26th, 2009 9:44 am ET

This is CRAZY!! They may not have walked in with a WEAPON but I am sure there was a lot of untencils there that could have caused harm!!

It's NOT right! The SECRET SERVICE caused this breach and the one responsible should be FIRED!

Wookie   November 26th, 2009 9:40 am ET

The incredible breech of ettiquette shown by this couple needs to be addressed in the strictest manner. I say "Off with their heads" ,or better yet let them spend time in jail thinking about and celebrating their fifteen minutes in the limelight. When I was a kid crashing a party was done by worst of the worst! A pig all dressed up is still a pig!!!
And those who allowed this to happen need to be retrained and perhaps reassigned to a less strategic position. I am thankful that the event went off well in spite of this.

Ryan   November 26th, 2009 9:39 am ET

Magnometers or not... that's STILL a MAJOR breech of security!!!

I mean, do you have to bring a weapon to be dangerous? You know there are people out there that exist who incredible hand-to-hand combatants... have you ever seen a NAVY seal in action for example?

Bottom line – There are so many psychos out there that have an issue with Obama that this little piece of news has probably got them all worked up into a frenzy of excitement and hope.

Dear SS (ironic name) – Please protect our President because for once, I actually like the guy.

Willy Brown   November 26th, 2009 9:35 am ET

Wonder how the Secret Service let Barry through too...

Texas Longhorn talks Truth   November 26th, 2009 9:28 am ET

Well ha-dee-daa. How come the John Doe public can't come to thw White House. It's their House more than it is a muslim who is not even a citizen. And what's this party for another hinu worshiper. They are on the same scale as muslims.

Mia socrazi   November 26th, 2009 9:26 am ET

Now this is funny. I guess people CAN get to the President afterall the hubbub about the toughest security measures being in place....good opportunity to rub elbows with some of our most sleaziest public "self-servants"....I'm glad our our "independent" and "non-biased" Katie Couric was able to make it...another joke.

Poor folks   November 26th, 2009 9:11 am ET

You can bet if a blue collar couple had tried to sneak in, they would have been tossed in jail and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

Just goes to show you what being a high dollar socialite will give you as far as privledges in this country. You can assume no charges will be filed against these high dollar stuck up snobs.

This administration has called many blue collar people trouble makers whent hey spoke out at town hall meetings, and other events. But they will not do a thing to someone who has money that invaded the white house.

Marty, Grand Rapids MI   November 26th, 2009 9:10 am ET

Can you say, fired? Not sure how that is really possible with a 300 member invite list that doesn't even include Bill Clinton.

Ridgeway   November 26th, 2009 9:10 am ET

Man, those people need to get a life. Talk about desperate for something to do. Should have gone to something cooler than that, like bowling.

ronvan   November 26th, 2009 9:05 am ET

A scary thing to realize that these two could do this right under the eyes of the Secret Service, which I am sure is totally embarassed over it!

TCM   November 26th, 2009 9:04 am ET

Hey, it's MY money...along with millions of other suffering taxpayers who had to front this "gala." I applaud these party crashers. The worthless, and "Wanna-be royalty," Obamas should be ashamed for spending so much of OUR money, while simultaenously destroying the rich heritage of true Americans.

Black Viper   November 26th, 2009 8:52 am ET

Somebody for sure at the secret service is going to join the unemployment line.
This couple are disgusting and stupid and I bet you they will spend some time in jail for trespassing.
Is that a risk worth taking?

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