U.S. Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan testifies at the House Homeland Security Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington in this December 3, 2009 file photo.
It’s not easy being Director of the Secret Service at any point, and certainly not when the widely respected institution faces the biggest scandal in its history. But Mark J. Sullivan’s quick response to the scandal has garnered him support from Republicans and Democrats alike. Appointed director in 2006, Sullivan has been with the agency since 1983. President Obama expressed his confidence in the director to effectively deal with the situation at the White House doorstep, and since the news broke, Sullivan has taken a policy of transparency in dealing with the scandal, briefing key members of Congress on his aggressive investigation. Former White House adviser Karl Rove defended the 22nd director on Fox News Sunday saying that he was “an enormously able individual” who acted swiftly and appropriately. Although some in Washington, like Rep. Randy Forbes, believe Sullivan should step down– especially after a previous security breach at a White House state dinner — it looks like the director might just survive the scandal.