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I Was Appointed:' Armed CDC Security Guard Who Rode In the Same Elevator as Obama Speaks Out
Kenneth Tate appears during a television interview (Image source: YouTube)

I Was Appointed:' Armed CDC Security Guard Who Rode In the Same Elevator as Obama Speaks Out

Centers for Disease Control private security guard Kenneth Tate was assigned to escort President Barack Obama during his recent visit to the CDC in Atlanta for discussions on the agency's Ebola response efforts. A security guard at the CDC, Tate was carrying a CDC-issued firearm as he welcomed the president.

Kenneth Tate appears during a television interview (Image source: YouTube) Kenneth Tate appears during a television interview (Image source: YouTube)

But as Tate later found out, that move may have cost him his $42,000 per year job.

Tate tried to take a photo of the presidential limousine as President Obama was leaving the Atlanta headquarters. But Secret Service agents told Tate that he'd gotten too close the motorcade and later notified Tate's bosses.

His bosses pulled him aside just before Secret Service agents took him into a conference room for questioning. Following his questioning by the Secret Service, Tate's bosses took his CDC badge and handed him his termination letter the next week. Two weeks later Tate's son, who also worked as a CDC contractor, found out he was out of job because of "downsizing."

The CDC and the contracted company for which Tate worked have not provided an explanation as to why he was fired nor have they released a chronological account of what happened that day.

Not long after the incident occurred, TheBlaze reported that Tate had been previously arrested on charges of assault and battery. Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) expressed outrage that the Secret Service had allowed yet another security lapse.

“Words aren’t strong enough for the outrage I feel for the safety of the President and his family. His life was in danger. This country would be a different world today if he had pulled out his gun, "Chaffetz said.

Secret Service Director Julia Pierson resigned from her post a day later after facing harsh criticism during the congressional hearing in which Chaffetz made his comments.

Tate responded to the media reports following the incident: “From the reports, I was some stranger that entered the elevator. I mean, I was appointed," he said.

Check out this video to hear what else Tate is saying of the incident and why he says he didn't deserve to lose his job:

(H/T: New York Times)

Follow Jon Street (@JonStreet) on Twitter

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