Yet Tareq and Michaele Salahi of Virginia went through the Secret Service security checkpoint, shook hands with Obama and had their picture taken with Vice President Joe Biden. After the security breach, Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan said normal security protocols had not been followed and took the blame. The White House acknowledged that there wasn't anyone from the social office at the checkpoint to help identify guests, a departure from previous administrations' practices. There was an argument in the hallway of the hotel, and soon after a dozen Secret Service employees were relieved of duty because of allegations of misconduct. Nine of the 13 Secret Service officers and agents involved eventually left the agency — resigned, forced out or retired, according to an official familiar with the investigation. Omar J.