BTN News: The United States Secret Service is known for its commitment to protecting presidents and presidential candidates, standing as a barrier against threats. Typically seen dressed in black, with an air of seriousness and sporting their iconic sunglasses, these agents are vigilant, scanning the surroundings for any potential danger.
Last weekend, they faced a significant challenge when a threat appeared unexpectedly. However, the Secret Service’s response was swift and professional. They immediately shielded former President Donald Trump with their bodies, quickly ushering him into an armored vehicle despite his apparent reluctance to stop addressing his supporters.
The Evolution of the Secret Service
The Secret Service’s primary mission was not always the protection of the president. When it was established in 1865, its main focus was combating currency counterfeiting in a nation recovering from the Civil War. At that time, it was estimated that one-third of all circulating dollars in the recently reunited country were counterfeit, threatening financial stability. To address this, the Department of the Treasury formed the “Secret Service Division” with William P. Wood as its first director. Over the years, as their success in reducing counterfeit currency grew, their mandate expanded to include other federal crimes such as smuggling and mail theft.
A Turning Point: The Assassination of President McKinley
The mission of the Secret Service took a dramatic turn after President William McKinley was assassinated in 1901 by anarchist Leon Czolgosz. This event highlighted the need for a dedicated force to protect the president. Before this, presidential security was handled by unofficial guards and an auxiliary guard responsible for managing public access to the White House. Following McKinley’s assassination, the Secret Service was tasked with protecting the president, their families, and visiting foreign dignitaries. This responsibility expanded further after the agency moved under the Department of Homeland Security in 2002.
Broader Responsibilities
With the creation of the FBI in 1908, the Secret Service relinquished some of its financial crime duties. However, they still tackle crimes against the financial sector, including cybercrime. The Secret Service protects current presidents, former presidents, their families, vice presidents, and foreign heads of state during official visits. They also secure major presidential and vice-presidential candidates within 120 days before an election.
Since 1998, the Secret Service has also been responsible for securing “National Special Security Events” (NSSEs). These events, which could be potential criminal targets, include political conventions, presidential inaugurations, international summits, state funerals, State of the Union addresses, and even major sporting events like the Super Bowl.
Secret Service Operations Today
The agency has grown significantly, now boasting over 7,000 personnel across 150 offices domestically and internationally. The relationship between Secret Service agents and those they protect can be quite intense. From its inception, some presidents have found the constant surveillance irritating. President Theodore Roosevelt, the first to be protected by the Secret Service, often tried to escape their watchful eyes. His successor, William Howard Taft, also managed to evade their protection for a brief, rainy outing on Christmas Eve in 1911.
Codenames and Security
The Secret Service assigns codenames to presidents, chosen from a list. Bill Clinton was “Eagle,” George W. Bush “Trailblazer,” Barack Obama “Renegade,” Donald Trump “Mogul,” and Joe Biden “Celtic,” reflecting his Irish heritage.
Challenges and Criticisms
Despite their dedication, the Secret Service has not always been able to prevent harm. The most tragic incident was the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963. This event led to expanded protections, including lifelong protection for Kennedy’s widow and children. Other significant incidents include the 1950 assassination attempt on President Harry S. Truman by Puerto Rican nationalists, resulting in the death of agent Leslie Coffelt, and the 1981 attempt on President Ronald Reagan’s life, where an agent was also injured.
In 2012, the agency faced a major scandal involving agents and prostitutes in Cartagena, Colombia, leading to the resignation of then-director Mark Sullivan and stricter rules for agents traveling abroad.
Recent Incident with Donald Trump
Recently, during an event in Pennsylvania, a man managed to climb onto a roof and fired shots at Donald Trump. Criticisms have arisen about the Secret Service’s handling of the situation. Jonathan Gilliam, a former special agent, believes the agency failed to adequately secure the area. Despite identifying the shooter as suspicious an hour before the attack, the Secret Service lost sight of him. The shooter was eventually killed by tactical team snipers 26 seconds after he began shooting at Trump.
The Future of the Secret Service
Since the attack, there have been calls for the resignation of Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle. Despite taking responsibility for the lapse, she has stated she will not resign and is expected to testify before two Republican-controlled House committees.
Norman Roule, a former intelligence official, acknowledges the immense workload of the Secret Service, noting that between 2003 and 2019, the agency made around 29,000 arrests related to counterfeiting and other financial crimes. In 2023 alone, they provided security for nearly 5,000 domestic and over 340 international visits.
The Secret Service’s mission continues to evolve, balancing the protection of key figures with combating financial crimes, underscoring their vital role in maintaining national security.
