Unknown 'Device' Recovered at White House Grounds

A spokesman for US President Barack Obama says a "device" has been found on the grounds of the White House.

MOSCOW, January 26 (Sputnik) – The US Secret Service has found a “device” on the White House grounds on Monday morning, Reuters reports.

Speaking at a press briefing in New Delhi, India, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said a “device” has been found, but that it did not pose any threat to anyone at the White House, NBC News says.

Currently, US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle are on a three-day visit to India, with a planned stop in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

A security perimeter has been set up around the White House. Access has been restricted. Secret Service has no immediate comments on what the “device” is, San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Some media report that the "device" was possibly a drone, USA Today says.

Drone lands in tree on White House lawn at 3am! http://t.co/PL1bh9ucJt pic.twitter.com/GZTPgRh7oC

— Eric Jonas Swensson (@KinderEric) 26 января 2015

While the circumstances of the incident remain unclear, this and past security breaches at the White House have led some to question effectiveness of the Secret Service. Former director Julia Pierson resigned last year following an incident when a man armed with a knife managed to get over a fence in September, the Boston Globe reports.