*Administration of Barack Obama, 2013 *

**Remarks at the Swearing-In Ceremony for Julia Pierson as Director of the United States Secret Service and an Exchange With Reporters **

*March 27, 2013 *

*The President.* Okay, Joe. You got the floor.

[*At this point, Vice President Joe Biden administered the oath of office to Ms. Pierson.*]

*Vice President Biden.* Congratulations.

*The President.* Great job.

*Ms. Pierson*. Thank you very much, Mr. President.

*The President.* Thank you so much. Well, listen, I have to say that Julia's reputation within the Service is extraordinary. She's come up through the ranks. She's done just about every job there is to do at the Secret Service.

Obviously, she's breaking the mold in terms of Directors of the agencies, and I think that people are all extraordinarily proud of her. And we have the greatest confidence in the wonderful task that lies ahead and very confident that she is going to do a great job. So we just want to say congratulations.

As Joe Biden pointed out, this person now probably has more control over our lives than anyone else—[*laughter*]—except for our spouses. And I couldn't be placing our lives in better hands than Julia's.

*Vice President Biden.* And my agents are excited that we picked her.

*The President.* Absolutely. You're going to do a great job.

*Q. *How did you make your decision?

*The President.* She has extraordinary qualifications, and I think a lot of people who have worked with Julia know how dedicated, how professional, how committed she is, and, I think, are absolutely certain that she's going to thrive in this job. All right?

Thank you, guys.

*NCAA Basketball Tournament *

*Q. *How are you feeling about your bracket, sir?

*The President.* Busted. [*Laughter*] I think my women's bracket is doing much better than my men's bracket.

NOTE: The President spoke at 3:16 p.m. in the Oval Office at the White House. In his remarks, he referred to Jill T. Biden, wife of Vice President Biden.

*Categories:* Addresses and Remarks : U.S. Secret Service Director Julia Pierson, swearing-in ceremony; Interviews With the News Media : Exchanges with reporters :: White House*.*

*Locations: *Washington, DC.* *

*Names:* Biden, Jill T.; Biden, Joseph R., Jr.; Obama, Michelle; Pierson, Julia*.*

*Subjects:* Homeland Security, Department of : Secret Service, U.S.; Sports : Basketball; White House Office : Vice President.

*DCPD Number:* DCPD201300191.