Politics & Government

Lockdown at White House as Obamas about to leave

By Steve Thomma - McClatchy Washington Bureau

March 07, 2015 10:56 AM

Displaced tourists wait in a chilly Washington D.C. morning after the White House was locked down as the President and first lady were heading for Selma, Ala.
Displaced tourists wait in a chilly Washington D.C. morning after the White House was locked down as the President and first lady were heading for Selma, Ala. McClatchy
Displaced tourists wait in a chilly Washington D.C. morning after the White House was locked down as the President and first lady were heading for Selma, Ala. McClatchy

The White House was locked down Saturday morning as the President and First Lady were about to leave for Selma, Alabama.

Reporters and photographers waiting outside the residence to watch the departure from the South Lawn were abruptly ordered back inside by Secret Service agents, who them locked them inside the press briefing room.

Agents were seen patrolling the grounds, and standing by vehicles at the North Portico, on the other side of the executive mansion.

At the same time, a tour group was evacuated from the White House.

Reporter David McCumber of Hearst Newspapers reported hearing a loud noise at the time, and photos on Twitter showed what appeared to be a fire on nearby 17th Street.

President and Mrs. Obama were leaving to fly to Selma for the 50th anniversary of the civil rights march there.

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