Donald Trump closes White House Sidewalk to the public permanently

On Wednesday, April 19, 2017 the U.S. Secret Service said it would end public access to a sidewalk along the south fence of the White House.

The sidewalk has been closed at nights from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. since 2015 and will now be off-limits entirely. 

Secret Service Communications Director Cathy Milhoan said the closure will “lessen the possibility of individuals illegally accessing the White House grounds”.  

In March, a man scaled a fence east of the White House at night and was on the property’s grounds for 16 minutes before being detained.