Julia Pierson, First Woman To Head US Secret Service, Resigns Over Security Breach

The US Secret Service Director Julia Pierson has resigned following a day after critical questioning by Congress about a recent White House security breach. There had been increasing calls for her departure during the day.

Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said she offered her resignation and he accepted it.

Pierson will be replaced by Joseph Clancy, a former special agent in charge of the president's protective detail who retired in 2011. Pierson has been with the agency for 30 years.

She was widely criticised during and after her testimony on Tuesday.

Pierson took over the embattled agency last year after embarrassing incidents involving misconduct by officers and agents, including the 2012 Colombia prostitution scandal.

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