Secret Service reviews possible threat to Obama

Free speech or an offence? The U.S. Secret Service says 'we have the right and duty to speak to them to determine what their intent is'

The U.S. Secret Service wants to interview the teens on why they were holding a bullet-ridden photo of President Obama

The Secret Service is reviewing the case of an Internet photo showing a group of armed young men in the Arizona desert standing next to what appears to be a bullet-riddled image of President Obama.

“We’re aware of it, and we’re conducting the appropriate follow-up steps,” said Ed Donovan, a Secret Service spokesman.

Obama visited Arizona on Wednesday and Thursday.

Individuals certainly have a right to free speech, but we certainly have a right to speak to individuals to see what their intent is,” Donovan said.

The photograph showed seven casually dressed young men, four of whom clutched weapons and one of whom held up a T-shirt covered with small holes and gashes and bearing a likeness of Mr. Obama above the word “HOPE.” The weapons held aloft appeared to be a revolver, a bolt-action rifle and two assault rifles.