Michelle Obama Threat Update: Secret Service, "Pump The Brakes On This One"
A Metropolitan Police Department officer made an alleged threat against First Lady Michelle Obama.
The Secret Service confirmed the threat to NBC Washington but are now downplaying the incident, saying they don't believe there was any intent to actually harm her.
According to The Washington Post, the officer allegedly said "he would shoot the first lady," and then pulled out his phone to display an image of the gun "he said he would use." The officer reportedly made the comments as several officers from the Special Operations Division discussed threats against the Obamas.
The comment was overheard by a supervisor during a routine morning roll call Wednesday.
Now officials familiar with the situation say that it was a bad joke made by someone who should have known better, according to msnbc.com.
"Pump the brakes on this one," a Secret Service official told NBC according to a report.
"We're aware of it and taking the appropriate steps," an official for the Secret Service added..
"There is conflicting information about what the officer said," said .C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier according to NBC Washington. "Internal Affairs will get to the bottom of it."
"We received an allegation that inappropriate comments were made," said Gwendolyn Crump, director of communications for MPD. She said they are also investigating the case.
The Police Union chief declined to comment, saying it is a criminal investigation. Police officers haven't released the name of the officer.
The officer under investigation works in the Special Operations division, which handles presidential and dignitary motorcades in the city.
He has been placed on administrative duties.
