White House Intruder’s Past Raises Concern

Ms. Pierson said that the Secret Service came into contact with roughly 60 people a year outside the White House, like fence jumpers, who appeared to be threats to the president. She said that Mr. Gonzalez seemed like other people who try to get into the White House or close to Mr. Obama, many of whom show symptoms of mental illness. Under questioning, Mr. Gonzalez told officers that he needed to deliver a message to the president about the atmosphere failing.

“To be quite honest with you all, the vast majority of the people we come into contact with exhibit signs of mental illness,” she said.