The South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 26, 2015. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP)

White House Lockdown on Thanksgiving: Fence Jumper on North Lawn Amid Obama Terrorism Claims

Man wearing American flag immediately arrested
By Jack Phillips
November 26, 2015 Updated: November 26, 2015

A fence jumper breached the North Lawn fence at the White House, prompting a lockdown.

Reports came in at around 3 p.m. ET about the jumper.

The jumper was caught by the Secret Service, it was reported.

CNN reported that the jumper was “almost immediately apprehended by Secret Service officers.”

The president’s family were in the White House celebrating Thanksgiving when the jumper breached the fence.

Police said the man was carrying a manila folder, NBC Washington reported.

It comes as President Barack Obama said that there’s no specific or credible terrorist threat in the U.S. during Thanksgiving.

“Given the shocking images, I know Americans have been asking each other whether it’s safe here — whether it’s safe to fly or gather,” the president said, per NPR. “We know of no specific and credible intelligence indicating a plot on the homeland,” he spoke at the White House.

“In the event of a specific, credible threat, the public will be informed,” Obama added.

The U.S., he noted, is taking “every possible step” to ensure safety.

“So as Americans travel this weekend to be with their loved ones, I want them to know that our counterterrorism, intelligence, homeland security and law enforcement professionals at every level are working overtime,” Obama said, per the Huffington Post. “They serve every hour of every day for the sake of our security. They did so before Paris and they do so now, without fanfare or credit and without a break for the holidays.”

Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson echoed statements made by the president.

“Basically, they are reinforcing existing security measures,” he said, according to USA Today. “It should be obvious to the public that there is a heightened presence in places like in Union Station here, at airports and other public gathering places. In general, we want to encourage people as the holiday season begins to travel, be with your families, celebrate the holidays, go to public events — and be vigilant and be aware.”

The Islamic State terrorist group, known as ISIS, has vowed to carry out an attack on U.S. soil, including New York City and Washington, D.C. as targets.
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