The Secret Service announced today that a third person entered the White House State Dinner in November without an invitation, but would not elaborate on who the individual was.
According to the Secret Service, the person entered the event with the official Indian delegation — important guests, considering the dinner was held for Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The delegation, including the third crasher, was screened for security at their hotel by the Secret Service, spokesman Ed Donovan tells TPM. The delegation was not screened again after arriving together at the White House. “They were part of a secure package,” Donovan said.
Although the screening was done by the Secret Service, it was the State Department that was responsible for the “vetting of individuals,” Donovan said. A spokesman for the State Department could not be immediately reached for comment.
Donovan would not say whether the individual was an American or Indian citizen or provide any other details.
In a release, the Service said “there is nothing to indicate” the third crasher went through the receiving line or had any contact with President Obama.
The now-infamous Michaele and Tareq Salahi made headlines when they attended the party without an invitation and appeared in pictures with Obama, Vice President Biden and others.
The press release directed questions to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, but a spokesman there said the office has no comment.
