Unusual objects prompt lock down of White House

DEVELOPING: “Smoking objects” found nearby have prompted the lock down of the White House, an agent has told POLITICO.  [POLITICO]

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama were not at the White House at the time of the security incident.

UPDATE 9:38 ET: WRC, the NBC affiliate in Washington, reports the object may have been a smoke bomb. One thousand protesters are gathered nearby, but it’s unclear if the security scare is related. [WRC]