U.S. Vice President Joe Biden swore in veteran agent Julia Pierson as Secret Service director in the Oval Office on Wednesday (March 27th).

U.S. President Barack Obama who appointed Pierson, the first woman to lead the male-dominated agency, was at the official ceremony.

Obama expressed his confidence in Pierson who will replace Mark Sullivan, who retired in February and was in charge during the Colombia scandal - one of the worst in the agency's history.

"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 she is going to do a great job," Obama said.

After Pierson took the oath of office Obama joked that she would have more control over the Vice President and his life than anyone except their spouses.

Pierson, a native of Florida, is currently chief of staff at the Secret Service and began her career as a special agent with the Miami field office in 1983. The director's position does not require confirmation by the U.S. Senate.

Starting in 1988, Pierson served four years with the Presidential Protective Division, and she became deputy assistant director of the Office of Protective Operations in 2005.

Presented by Adam Justice