When thinking about international security threats and risks to institutions, most likely one of the top institutions that come to mind is the White House. Regardless of who is the temporary tenant in this house, it is an institution filled with symbolism and patriotism for Americans as well as for the rest of the world, and hence it must be protected at all times.
An attempt to the White House feels like an attempt against stability and security to the entire nation. Therefore, my concern -not my surprise- to the latest report on Saturday that an envelope addressed to President Trump made its way into the White House with ricin in it.
Ricin is a poisonous substance that with as little as a pea size has an almost immediate killing effect and, worst of all, there is no antidote to it. Hence, the death of the individual in contact with it is guaranteed.
The FBI agents said that tracking investigations resulted that the envelope came from a woman in Canada and this is still under investigation.
Fortunately, the altered envelope did not get in contact with any human being, thus no one is at risk. However, is it that simple for an envelope to enter the White House? When coming from abroad, does not a piece of mail have to go through different filters when leaving the country of origin and entering the country of destination? Before reaching the White House, does not a piece of mail have to go through different scans and/or filters as well? To me, a regular person, sending a package via post office certainly feels an ordeal since I have to sign paperwork swearing I am not sending chemicals/weapons/guns/gels and even perfumes. Then, how a poisoned envelope can almost reach the President of the United States so easily?
Many may feel happy about this envelope succeeding in its mission, but my concern goes beyond that. Putting a President under such risk is one of the ultimate international or national security threats of all time! It is certainly not an attack on one but to all! Either those in charge of the White House security do not take this situation seriously or I am giving this situation the superlative weight and importance it truly holds.
This is exactly why I said before: “my concern, not my surprise” when reading this news yesterday. I am not surprised because in the last years we have heard of similar things and situations (either mail or people breaking into the House) happening quite frequently! Even unheard and silly cases of someone simply breaking into the House gardens by running alone. And then we think if one of the top institutions of the world can be broken in so easily or a poisoned envelope can make its way so close to the President of the Nation, what is left for us?
In fewer words, if the White House -and the people in it- are so vulnerable to attacks (even silly and simple ones), what can we expect in terms of security? How safe are we in our communities and houses? This concerns me and makes me wonder about the security of normal people.
Link to the article: https://bit.ly/2RLVpCZ
Maria,
This recent case was an important reminder about the security of senior officials and the government as a whole. You may (or may not) remember that, following 9/11, another poisonous substance, anthrax, was sent to several Senators’ offices and to some media outlets. This caused major changes in how mail is delivered and opened, both for the congress and the White House. These days, it is not done on site, but rather in a remote location under enhanced security conditions. So, in reality, neither the president nor anyone else in the White House was ever at risk. And, BTW, they just announced this morning (Monday) that a woman has been arrested trying to cross back into the United States from Canada. They believe she is the perpetrator. — Professor Wallerstein