House Oversight Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz said Tuesday that Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson should be investigated because of the "deep-seeded cultural problem" at the Secret Service, including the reported theft of an agent's gun and other gear in broad daylight in Washington.
"Three times in a row we have had directors that have provided false or misleading testimony to Congress," the Utah Republican
told Wolf Blitzer on CNN. "Cultural problems have not improved. I think we need to elevate that.
"We need to look at the secretary of Homeland Security, Jeh Johnson," Chaffetz added. "We have the same problems happening with director after director.
"The question needs to go to the secretary and the president himself," he said.
The four-term congressman's comments came after news reports that a Secret Service agent's gun, badge, radio, handcuffs and flash drive were
stolen from his personal vehicle at 4 p.m. Eastern time near the agency's headquarters in Washington.
A report filed with the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington said that the agent returned to his car, saw someone reaching into his car — later finding that his gear had been missing.
The agent worked in the presidential protective division of the Secret Service, CNN reports.
Chaffetz's committee has investigated many scandals with the agency, including March's crash into a fence by two agents who had been drinking at a retirement party.
"These things can't keep happening," he told Blitzer. "They have a deep-seated cultural problem.
"You can't leave your service revolver in a car," he added. "All someone needed to do was unzip a plastic covering to get at the weapon — and that's just not right."
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