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White House goes into lockdown after a man wearing a USA flag hops the fence

It’s not the first time it’s happened in recent times.

CNN / YouTube

A MAN HAS been arrested after jumping the fence at the White House as the first family were inside celebrating Thanksgiving.

CNN reports that the man was wrapped in an American flag and jumped over two barriers before he was apprehended.

It’s the latests in a series of incidents of people gaining unauthorised access to White House grounds.

Today’s incident comes soon after the main fence was reinforced with seven inch steel spikes to guard against such fence hopping.

The White House was put on lockdown for a period but the incident is now understood to be over.

Earlier today, US President Barack Obama used his Thanksgiving message to urge Americans to open their hearts to refugees.

In his message, Obama likened refugees to the pilgrims the holiday celebrates.

“Nearly four centuries after the Mayflower set sail, the world is still full of pilgrims — men and women who want nothing more than the chance for a safer, better future for themselves and their families,” Obama said in his weekly address, referring to the boat on which the first pilgrims reached the New World.

Thanksgiving was first celebrated by the group who fled religious persecution in England. For many Americans, it has become a family-oriented holiday marked with an enormous meal of roast turkey and a slice or two of pie.

“I’ve been touched by the generosity of the Americans who’ve written me letters and emails in recent weeks, offering to open their homes to refugees fleeing the brutality of ISIL,” Obama said, using an acronym for the Islamic State group.

The refugee question has taken centre stage in the 2016 presidential race, following the Paris attacks staged by Syria-linked jihadists this month.

The White House / YouTube

The shootings and suicide bombings stirred fears in North America and Europe that jihadists could seek to blend in with refugees in order to strike later.

Obama faces a barrage of opposition to his own plan to resettle Syrian 10,000 refugees in the United States in the coming year.

“People should remember that no refugee can enter our borders until they undergo the highest security checks of anyone traveling to the United States,” Obama said.

“That was the case before Paris, and it’s the case now.”

“On this uniquely American holiday, we also remember that so much of our greatness comes from our generosity,” he said.

- With reporting from © – AFP 2015

Read: Even his most conservative rivals are lining up to hammer Trump over his latest proposal >

Read: 9 things we learned from Barack Obama’s interview with GQ >

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    Mute Carmo Vanderval
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    Nov 26th 2015, 10:13 PM

    He’s as much chance as Donald Trump of getting in there.

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    Mute Ray Farrelly
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    Nov 26th 2015, 9:53 PM

    Pilgrims invaders more like I don’t think the natives were pleased to see them.

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    Mute Comexicity
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    Nov 26th 2015, 10:06 PM

    So basically this news story is that a man climbed a high fence.

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    Mute markdunnecork
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    Nov 26th 2015, 10:11 PM

    I’ve an Irish flag on my jocks , would that make the news

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    Mute Paul Mc
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    Nov 26th 2015, 10:15 PM

    Rumour has it mark it’s actually skidmarks you have on your jocks.

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    Mute markdunnecork
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    Nov 26th 2015, 10:18 PM

    Haha fair play ya spacer

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    Mute thejynxeffect
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    Nov 26th 2015, 10:02 PM

    Using thanksgiving to push his ridiculous immigration policy. He’s such a pathetic president.

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    Mute Dingle Holiday
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    Nov 26th 2015, 10:09 PM

    thejynxeffect 0 major issue in Europe and America ..
    and you get excited with Trump ?

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    Mute IrishGravyTrain
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    Nov 26th 2015, 10:07 PM

    Shoot him god damn it. Put a cap in his ass.

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    Mute Peter McGlynn
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    Nov 27th 2015, 12:25 AM

    I don’t think he was black.

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    Mute Patrick J O'CONNOR
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    Nov 26th 2015, 10:17 PM

    Why don’t Americans give Obama the Bungler his walking papers and be done with him!

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    Mute Dingle Holiday
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    Nov 26th 2015, 10:21 PM

    Patrick J O’CONNOR – Troll alert ..
    so you are a fan of GW / Trump / Carson ..?
    anyway the article is about a stupid jerk wearing a USA flag hops the fence
    Where in Ireland are you spending Thanksgiving ?

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    Mute Mark Ryan
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    Nov 26th 2015, 11:37 PM

    They have to wait until the next election… It’s how a democracy works….

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    Mute Rosie Gluten
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    Nov 27th 2015, 5:54 AM

    Just because a ‘multi account lad’ who hates Muslims wants rid of Obama -it automatically doesn’t mean millions of others want him gone .. On the plus side for you-he will be leaving there soon enough.. ..

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    Mute Jimmy Murphy
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    Nov 26th 2015, 11:21 PM

    Well that was really clever.

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