Secret Service’s New Challenge: Protecting Candidates from “Glitter Bombing”

By Allan Lengel
ticklethewire.com

These days Secret Service agents not only have to worry about some whacky gunman on the Republican campaign trail, but they have to worry about the “glitter bombs.”

Politico reports that presidential hopefuls Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul have been sprinkled with glitter by pranksters during the campaign.

The latest came Tuesday when Romney was delivering the speech.

A CNN video shows that Secret Service agents were able to step in and protect Romney. The video also shows the agents whisking away 20-year-old college student Peter Lucas Smith, 20. He was issued a citation, according to the Denver Post.

In a statement to the website TPM, Secret Service spokesman Max Milien said agents were “seen reacting and taking appropriate action based on what occurred.” Milien added, “The security advance process is a coordination between Secret Service, staff, event staff and local authorities to create the safest environment possible while preparing for any and all incidents that may occur.” .

Politico reported that Newt Gingrich and his wife, Callista, were victims of the glitter bombing last May 17 at a book-signing event in Minneapolis.

 

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