White House Sidewalk Permanently Closed To Public

WASHINGTON, DC — A sidewalk near the White House is permanently closed to the public as of Wednesday night in a move to enlarge the security perimeter around the official residence of President Trump.

“This restriction is part of the ongoing comprehensive review of temporary and permanent security measures at the complex,” the Secret Service said in a statement.

The sidewalk bordering the South Lawn will be barred from tourists and passersby. The restricted area will include the roads, parks and sidewalks between the south fence line of the White House and E Street NW from West Executive Avenue to East Executive Avenue, according to a statement.

Tourists who wish to take photos of the White House from the south will now have to stand 25 yards further away than usual, across E Street by the Ellipse.

When people stood right up to the fence, “It limited our ability to identify and respond to potential hazards," Secret Service Communications Director Cathy Milhoan said.

The new guidelines follow a March incident in which a man scaled the White House fence and remained on the property for 17 minutes.

"The Secret Service must continually evaluate security protocols and continually balance the security of our protected persons and facilities with the public's ability to access them," Milhoan said.

Photo: Matt Popovich/Flickr