Secret Service: Difference between revisions
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{{ | {{Short description|U.S. federal law enforcement agency}} | ||
{{Redirect|USSS|the airport|Koltsovo International Airport}} | |||
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2022}} | |||
{{Infobox law enforcement agency | |||
| agencyname = United States Secret Service | |||
| commonname = Secret Service | |||
| abbreviation = USSS | |||
| logo = [[File:USSS New Star.svg|150px]] | |||
| logocaption = Emblem of the U.S Secret Service | |||
| flag = [[File:Flag of the United States Secret Service.svg|180px]] | |||
| flagcaption = U.S. Secret Service flag | |||
| badge = [[File:Badge of the United States Secret Service.png|120px]] | |||
| badgecaption = Secret Service special agent badge<!--Do not remove "Special", changing this "Secret Service Agent badge"... it says "Special" right on it--> | |||
| formed = {{start date and age|1865|7|5}} | |||
| employees = 8,300+ (2024)<ref name="DHS01">{{Cite web |url=https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/2024-04/2024_0309_us_secret_service.pdf|title=Department of Homeland Security {{!}} U.S. Secret Service {{!}} Budget Overview {{!}} Fiscal Year 2025 Congressional Justification|website=dhs.gov|access-date=June 7, 2024}}</ref> | |||
| budget = {{USD|3.2 billion}} (2025)<ref name="DHS01"/> | |||
| country = | |||
| speciality1 = | |||
| headquarters = [[Washington, D.C.]], U.S. | |||
| minister1pfo = [[United States Department of Homeland Security|U.S. Department of Homeland Security]] | |||
| chief1name = [[Ronald L. Rowe Jr.]] | |||
| chief1position = [[Director of the United States Secret Service|Director]] (Acting)<ref name="USSSleadership">{{cite web |title=Our Leadership |url=https://www.secretservice.gov/about/leadership |website=U.S. Secret Service |access-date=23 July 2024}}</ref> | |||
| chief2name = | |||
| chief2position = | |||
| parentagency = [[United States Department of Homeland Security|U.S. Department of Homeland Security]] (2003–present<!--from March 1, 2003-->)<br />[[United States Department of the Treasury|U.S. Department of the Treasury]] (1865–2003<!--July 5, 1865 – February 28, 2003-->) | |||
| vehicle1type = Field and resident offices | |||
| vehicles1 = 116 | |||
| vehicle2type = Overseas offices | |||
| vehicles2 = 20 | |||
| website = {{URL|www.secretservice.gov|secretservice.gov}} | |||
}} | |||
{{ | The '''United States Secret Service''' ('''USSS''' or '''Secret Service''') is a [[Federal law enforcement in the United States|federal law enforcement]] agency under the [[United States Department of Homeland Security|Department of Homeland Security]] tasked with conducting criminal investigations and providing protection to U.S. political leaders, their families, and visiting heads of state or government.<ref name="crs report">{{cite web |url=https://fas.org/sgp/crs/homesec/RL34603.pdf |title=The U.S. Secret Service: An Examination and Analysis of Its Evolving Missions|last=Resse |first=Shawn|date=April 16, 2012|access-date=April 18, 2012|publisher=[[Congressional Research Service]]|archive-date=April 18, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418201206/http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/homesec/RL34603.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The Secret Service was, [[United States Department of the Treasury#2003 reorganization|until 2003]], part of the [[United States Department of the Treasury|Department of the Treasury]], due to their initial mandate of combating [[Counterfeit United States currency|counterfeiting of U.S. currency]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/2016/04/18/us/secret-service-fast-facts/index.html |date=May 3, 2019 |title=Secret Service Fast Facts |publisher=[[CNN]] |access-date=June 3, 2019 |archive-date=May 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531070231/https://www.cnn.com/2016/04/18/us/secret-service-fast-facts/index.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The agency has protected U.S. presidents and presidential candidates since 1901.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/webstories/feature/secret-service-all-about-us-elite-force-20543|title=SECRET SERVICE: ALL ABOUT US ELITE FORCE |website=[[NDTV]]}}</ref> | ||
== | ==Primary missions== | ||
The Secret Service is mandated by [[United States Congress|Congress]] with two distinct and critical national security missions: protecting the nation's leaders and safeguarding the [[financial]] and critical [[infrastructure]] of the [[United States]]. | |||
== | ===Protective mission=== | ||
The Secret Service is tasked with ensuring the safety of the [[president of the United States]], the [[Vice President of the United States|vice president of the United States]], the [[president-elect of the United States]], the [[Vice President-elect of the United States|vice president-elect of the United States]], and their immediate families; [[List of Presidents of the United States|former presidents]], their spouses and their children under the age of 16; those in the [[United States presidential line of succession|presidential line of succession]], major presidential and vice-presidential [[candidates]] and their spouses; and visiting foreign heads of state and heads of government. By custom, it also provides protection to the [[United States Secretary of the Treasury|secretary of the treasury]] and [[United States Secretary of Homeland Security|secretary of homeland security]], as well as other people as directed by the president (usually the [[White House Chief of Staff|White House chief of staff]] and [[National Security Advisor (United States)|national security advisor]], among others). Former Secret Service director [[Kimberly Cheatle]] told the congressional oversight committee that as of July 22, 2024 the secret service has a total of 36 protectees. By federal statute, the president and vice president may not refuse this protection.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Bauer |first1=Bob |last2=Goldsmith |first2=Jack |date=2020 |title=After Trump: Reconstructing the Presidency |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1198233124 |location=Washington, DC |publisher=Lawfare Press |page=67 |isbn=978-1-7354806-1-9|oclc=1198233124 }}</ref> The Secret Service also provides physical security for the [[White House|White House Complex]]; the neighboring [[United States Department of the Treasury|Treasury Department]] building; the [[Number One Observatory Circle|vice president's residence]]; the principal private residences of the president, vice president and former presidents; and all foreign diplomatic missions in [[Washington, D.C.]] The protective mission includes protective operations to coordinate manpower and logistics with state and local [[law enforcement]] in the US, protective advances to conduct site and venue assessments for protectees, and protective intelligence to investigate all manners of threats made against protectees. The Secret Service is the lead agency in charge of the planning, coordination, and implementation of security operations for events designated as [[National Special Security Event|National Special Security Events (NSSE)]]. As part of the service's mission of preventing an incident before it occurs, the agency relies on advance work and threat assessments developed by its Intelligence Division to identify potential risks to protectees.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.secretservice.gov/protection/|title=United States Secret Service: Protective Mission|publisher=Secretservice.gov|access-date=September 20, 2017|archive-date=April 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180425225705/https://www.secretservice.gov/protection/|url-status=live}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> | |||
== | ===Investigative mission=== | ||
The Secret Service is tasked with safeguarding the payment and [[financial system]]s of the [[United States]] from a wide range of financial and cyber-based crimes. Financial investigations include counterfeit U.S. currency, bank and financial institution fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, illicit financing operations, and major conspiracies. Cyber investigations include [[cybercrime]], network intrusions, [[identity theft]], access device fraud, credit card fraud, and intellectual property crimes. The Secret Service is also a member of the [[FBI]]'s [[Joint Terrorism Task Force]] (JTTF) which investigates and combats terrorism on a national and international scale. Also, the Secret Service investigates missing and exploited children and is a partner of the [[National Center for Missing & Exploited Children]] (NCMEC).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.secretservice.gov/investigation/|title=United States Secret Service: Investigative Mission|publisher=Secretservice.gov|access-date=September 20, 2017|archive-date=September 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916015010/https://www.secretservice.gov/investigation/|url-status=live}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> | |||
== | The Secret Service's initial responsibility was to investigate the counterfeiting of U.S. currency, which was rampant following the [[American Civil War]]. The agency then evolved into the [[United States]]' first domestic intelligence and [[counterintelligence]] agency. Many of the agency's missions were later taken over by subsequent agencies such as the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation]] (FBI), [[Central Intelligence Agency]] (CIA), [[Drug Enforcement Administration]] (DEA), [[Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives]] (ATF), and [[IRS Criminal Investigation Division]] (IRS-CI). | ||
* [[The Secret Service ( | |||
* [[Secret Service (magazine)|''Secret Service'' ( | The Secret Service is also tasked with investigating reports of the existence of specimens of the extremely rare [[1933 double eagle]] gold coin, as only a single example of the fourteen known survivors from this mintage year is authorized to be owned or sold.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2012-03-02 |title=1933 Double Eagle coin on display at Goldsmiths' Hall |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-17230477 |access-date=2023-11-07}}</ref> | ||
===Dual objective=== | |||
[[File:Secret Service agents conducting investigations.jpg|thumb|right|Secret Service agents conducting electronic investigations]] | |||
The Secret Service combines the two responsibilities into a dual objective. The two core missions of protection and investigation synergize with each other, providing benefits to special agents during the course of their careers. Skills developed during the course of investigations which are also used in an agent's protective duties include but are not limited to: | |||
* Partnerships that are created between field offices and local law enforcement during the course of investigations being used to gather both protective intelligence and in coordinating protection events. | |||
* Tactical operation (e.g. surveillance, arrests, and search warrants) and law enforcement writing (e.g. affidavits, after-action reports, and operations plans) skills being applied to both investigative and protective duties. | |||
* Proficiency in analyzing handwriting and forgery techniques being applied in protective investigations of handwritten letters and suspicious-package threats. | |||
* Expertise in investigating electronic and financial crimes being applied in protective investigations of threats made against the nation's leaders on the [[Internet]]. | |||
Protection of the nation's highest elected leaders and other government officials is one of the primary missions of the Secret Service. After the 1901 [[Assassination of William McKinley|assassination of President William McKinley]], [[United States Congress|Congress]] also directed the Secret Service to protect the [[president of the United States]]. The Secret Service investigates thousands of incidents each year of individuals [[threatening the President of the United States|threatening the president of the United States]]. | |||
The Secret Service is authorized by 18 U.S.C. § 3056(a) to protect:<ref name="ProtectionLaw">{{cite web|title=United States Code: Title 18, Section 3056|url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/3056|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106081228/https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/3056|archive-date=November 6, 2020|access-date=November 6, 2020}}</ref> | |||
* The president, vice president (or the next individual in the [[United States presidential line of succession|order of succession]], should the vice presidency be vacant), president-elect and vice president-elect | |||
* The immediate families of the above individuals | |||
* Former presidents and their spouses for their lifetimes, except if the spouse remarries | |||
* Children of former presidents under the age of 16 | |||
* Visiting heads of state or government and their spouses traveling with them | |||
* Other distinguished foreign visitors to the United States and official representatives of the United States performing special missions abroad, when the president directs protection be provided | |||
* Major presidential and vice presidential candidates and, within 120 days of a general presidential election, their spouses | |||
*Former vice presidents, their spouses, and their children under 16 years of age, for up to 6 months from the date the former vice president leaves office (the Secretary of Homeland Security can authorize temporary protection of these individuals at any time after that period) | |||
In addition to the above, the Secret Service can also protect other individuals by executive order of the president.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Secret Service FAQs|url=https://www.secretservice.gov/about/faqs/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101024003/https://www.secretservice.gov/about/faqs/|archive-date=November 1, 2020|access-date=November 7, 2020|website=www.secretservice.gov}}</ref> Under Presidential Policy Directive 22, "[[National Special Security Event]]s", the Secret Service is the lead agency for the design and implementation of operational security plans for events designated an NSSE by the secretary of [[homeland security]]. | |||
[[File:DoNotEnter.jpg|thumb|upright|Sign at the Obama family home in 2021 stating the area is protected by the Secret Service]] | |||
There have been changes to the protection of former presidents over time. Under the original [[Former Presidents Act]], former presidents and their spouses were entitled to lifetime protection, subject to limited exceptions. In 1994, this was amended to reduce the protection period to 10 years after a former president left office, starting with presidents assuming the role after January 1, 1997. On January 10, 2013, President [[Barack Obama]] signed legislation reversing this limit and reinstating lifetime protection to all former presidents.<ref>{{cite web|last=Gillman|first=Todd J.|title=Obama signs lifetime Secret Service protection for George W. Bush, himself and future presidents|url=http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/2013/01/obama-signs-lifetime-secret-service-protection-for-george-w-bush-himself-and-future-presidents.html/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115091119/http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/2013/01/obama-signs-lifetime-secret-service-protection-for-george-w-bush-himself-and-future-presidents.html/|archive-date=January 15, 2013|access-date=January 18, 2013|work=Trail Blazers Blog|publisher=The Dallas Morning News}}</ref> This change impacted Presidents Obama and G.W. Bush, as well as all future presidents.<ref>{{cite news|last=Compton|first=Ann|date=January 10, 2013|title=Lifetime Secret Service Protection Restored for Presidents Bush and Obama|publisher=ABC News|url=https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2013/01/lifetime-secret-service-protection-restored-for-presidents-bush-and-obama/|url-status=live|access-date=September 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130925231451/http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2013/01/lifetime-secret-service-protection-restored-for-presidents-bush-and-obama/|archive-date=September 25, 2013}}</ref> | |||
Protection of government officials is not solely the responsibility of the Secret Service, with many other agencies, such as the [[United States Capitol Police]], [[Supreme Court Police]] and [[Diplomatic Security Service]], providing personal protective services to domestic and foreign officials. However, while these agencies are nominally responsible for services to other officers of the United States and senior dignitaries, the Secret Service provides protective services at the highest-level – i.e. for heads of state and heads of government. | |||
The Secret Service's other primary mission is investigative; to protect the payment and financial systems of the United States from a wide range of financial and electronic-based crimes including counterfeit U.S. currency, bank and financial institution fraud, illicit financing operations, cybercrime, identity theft, intellectual property crimes, and any other violations that may affect the United States economy and financial systems. The agency's key focus is on large, high-dollar economic impact cases involving organized criminal groups. Financial criminals include embezzling bank employees, armed robbers at automatic teller machines, heroin traffickers, and criminal organizations that commit bank fraud on a global scale. | |||
The USSS plays a leading role in facilitating relationships between other law enforcement entities, the private sector, and academia. The service maintains the Electronic Crimes Task Forces, which focus on identifying and locating international cyber criminals connected to cyber intrusions, bank fraud, data breaches, and other computer-related crimes. Additionally, the Secret Service runs the National Computer Forensics Institute (NCFI), which provides law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and judges with cyber training and information to combat cybercrime. | |||
In the face of budget pressure, hiring challenges and some high-profile lapses in its protective service role in 2014, the [[Brookings Institution]] and some members of Congress are asking whether the agency's focus should shift more to the protective mission, leaving more of its original mission to other agencies.<ref>{{Cite news|title=The Secret Service: What's next for the new director |newspaper=Brookings Institution|url=https://www.brookings.edu/blog/fixgov/2015/02/28/the-secret-service-whats-next-for-the-new-director/|url-status=live|access-date=October 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161027055908/https://www.brookings.edu/blog/fixgov/2015/02/28/the-secret-service-whats-next-for-the-new-director/|archive-date=October 27, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Secret Service Recruitment Campaign Amps Up|url=http://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2016/10/26/secret-service-recruitment|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161027055919/http://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2016/10/26/secret-service-recruitment|archive-date=October 27, 2016|access-date=October 26, 2016|website=wbur.org|date=October 26, 2016 }}</ref> | |||
==History== | |||
===Early years=== | |||
[[File:Logo of the United States Secret Service.svg|180px|left|thumb| Logo of the United States Secret Service]] | |||
Following the Civil War, counterfeiting of U.S. currency was a problem.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mihalek |first1=Donald J. |title=How the investigation into Trump's attempted assassination may play out: ANALYSIS |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/investigation-trumps-attempted-assassination-play-analysis/story?id=112221550 |access-date=24 July 2024 |work=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |date=24 July 2024 |language=en}}</ref> [[Abraham Lincoln]] established a commission to make recommendations to remedy the problem. According to writer Joshua D Glawson, the day that Abraham Lincoln signed the approval of starting the Secret Service, Lincoln was shot.<ref>{{cite news |title=America’s Fiat Money Gestapo: The Untold History of the Secret Service |last=Glawson |first=Joshua D |url=https://www.moneymetals.com/news/2024/01/05/americas-fiat-money-gestapo-the-untold-history-of-the-secret-service-002915}}</ref> The Secret Service was later established on July 5, 1865, in [[Washington, D.C.]]{{Citation needed|date=July 2024}} Chief [[William P. Wood]] was sworn in by [[United States Secretary of the Treasury|Secretary of the Treasury]] [[Hugh McCulloch]]. It was commissioned in [[Washington, D.C.]] as the "Secret Service Division" of the Department of the Treasury with the mission of suppressing counterfeiting. At the time, the only other federal law enforcement agencies were the [[United States Customs Service]], the [[United States Park Police]], the [[United States Postal Service|U.S. Post Office Department]]'s Office of Instructions and Mail Depredations (now known as the [[United States Postal Inspection Service]]), and the [[United States Marshals Service]]. | |||
===20th century=== | |||
After the [[William McKinley assassination|assassination]] of President [[William McKinley]] in 1901, [[United States Congress|Congress]] informally requested that the Secret Service provide presidential protection. A year later, the Secret Service assumed full-time responsibility for presidential protection.{{Citation needed|date=July 2024}} In 1902, [[William Craig (Secret Service)|William Craig]] became the first Secret Service agent to die while on duty, in a road accident while riding in the presidential carriage.<ref>{{cite news |title=Forgotten hero gets due after a century |last=Casillas |first=Ofelia |newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=September 4, 2002 |page=3 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/231233006/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=May 9, 2019 |archive-date=June 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190620203942/https://www.newspapers.com/image/231233006/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
The Secret Service was the first U.S. domestic intelligence and counterintelligence agency. Domestic intelligence collection and counterintelligence responsibilities were later vested in the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation]] (FBI). | |||
====Taft Mexican Summit (1909)==== | |||
In 1909, President [[William H. Taft]] agreed to meet with Mexican president [[Porfirio Díaz]] in [[El Paso, Texas]], and [[Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua]], the first meeting between a U.S. and a Mexican president and also the first time an American president visited Mexico.{{sfn|Harris|Sadler|2009|pp=1–2}} The historic summit resulted in serious assassination threats and other security concerns for the nascent Secret Service, so the [[Texas Ranger Division|Texas Rangers]], 4,000 U.S. and Mexican troops, [[Bureau of Investigation|BOI]] agents, U.S. Marshals, and an additional 250-man private security detail led by [[Frederick Russell Burnham]], the celebrated scout, were all called in by Chief [[John Wilkie]] to provide added security.{{sfn|Harris|Sadler|2009|p=15}}<ref>{{cite news |date=October 16, 1909|title=Mr. Taft's Peril; Reported Plot to Kill Two Presidents|newspaper=Daily Mail |location=London |issn=0307-7578}}</ref> On October 16, the day of the summit, Burnham discovered a man holding a concealed [[Protector Palm Pistol|palm pistol]] standing at the El Paso Chamber of Commerce building along the procession route.<ref>{{harvp|Hammond|1935|pp=565–566}}</ref> The man was captured and disarmed only a few feet from Díaz and Taft.{{sfn|Harris|Sadler|2009|p=213}} | |||
==== 1920s ==== | |||
[[File:Florence Bolan.png|thumb|First female operative Florence Bolan]] | |||
The first unofficial female special agent was Florence Bolan.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 5, 2015 |title=A history of the Secret Service |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/a-history-of-the-secret-service/ |access-date=2023-04-15 |website=CBS News}}</ref> She joined the service in 1917.<ref name=":1" /> In 1924, Bolan was promoted to operative (the title preceding special agent) where she performed duties, such as searching female prisoners and engaging in occasional fieldwork.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2023 |title=FY 2022 United States Secret Service Annual Report |url=https://www.secretservice.gov/sites/default/files/reports/2023-02/fy-2022-annual-report-final.pdf |access-date=2023-04-15 |website=United States Secret Service |page=26}}{{PD-notice}}</ref> | |||
====1940s==== | |||
The Secret Service assisted in arresting Japanese American leaders and in the [[Japanese American internment]] during [[World War II]].<ref>11 Asian L.J. 147 (2004), Foreword: ''Sixty Years after the Internment: Civil Rights, Identity Politics, and Racial Profiling''; Tamaki, Donald K.</ref> | |||
====1950s==== | |||
In 1950, President [[Harry S. Truman]] was residing in [[Blair House]] while the White House, across the street, was undergoing renovations. On November 1, 1950, two [[Puerto Rico|Puerto Rican]] nationalists, [[Oscar Collazo]] and [[Griselio Torresola]], approached Blair House with the intent to [[Truman assassination attempt|assassinate President Truman]]. Collazo and Torresola opened fire on Private [[Leslie Coffelt]] and other White House Police officers. Though mortally wounded by three shots from a [[9×19mm Parabellum|9 mm]] German [[Luger P08 pistol|Luger]] to his chest and abdomen, Private Coffelt returned fire, killing Torresola with a single shot to his head. Collazo was also shot, but survived his injuries and served 29 years in prison before returning to Puerto Rico in late 1979.{{Citation needed|date=September 2018}} Coffelt is the only member of the Secret Service killed while protecting a US president against an assassination attempt (Special Agent [[Tim McCarthy]] stepped in front of President [[Ronald Reagan]] during the [[Reagan assassination attempt|assassination attempt]] of March 30, 1981, and took a bullet to the chest but made a full recovery<ref> | |||
"Chief of Police". Village of Orland Park. Retrieved February 27, 2021</ref>). | |||
====1960s==== | |||
In 1968, as a result of [[Robert F. Kennedy]]'s assassination, Congress authorized protection of major presidential and vice presidential candidates and nominees.<ref>{{USPL|90|331}}</ref> In 1965 and 1968, Congress also authorized lifetime protection of the spouses of deceased presidents unless they remarry and of the children of former presidents until age 16.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-82/pdf/STATUTE-82-Pg1190.pdf|date=October 21, 1968|title=Public Law 90-608-October 21, 1968 ~ Page 1198|work=[[United States Government Publishing Office]]|access-date=June 3, 2019|archive-date=June 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190603193013/https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-82/pdf/STATUTE-82-Pg1190.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
====1970s==== | |||
In 1970, Phyllis Shantz became the first female officer sworn into the [[United States Secret Service Uniformed Division]], then called the Executive Protective Service. In 1971, the first five official female Special Agents were sworn in - Laurie Anderson, Sue Baker, Kathryn Clark, Holly Hufschmidt, and Phyllis Shantz.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://time.com/6998539/trump-shooting-republicans-blame-dei-secret-service-women/|title=Critics Blame ‘DEI’ for Trump’s Shooting|first=Koh|last=Ewe|date=July 15, 2024|website=TIME}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.secretservice.gov/about/history/timeline|title=Timeline of Our History|website=www.secretservice.gov}}</ref> | |||
====1980s==== | |||
[[File:Secret Service analyst examining counterfeit documents.png|thumb|Secret Service analyst examining counterfeit documents<ref>{{citation|title=US Secret Service annual 2013 report|year=2013|url=https://www.secretservice.gov/data/press/reports/USSS_FY2013AR.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103214438/https://www.secretservice.gov/data/press/reports/USSS_FY2013AR.pdf|archive-date=November 3, 2018}}</ref>]] | |||
In 1984, the US Congress passed the [[Comprehensive Crime Control Act]], which extended the Secret Service's jurisdiction over credit card fraud and computer fraud.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Doyle |first=Charles |date=October 15, 2014 |title=Cybercrime: An Overview of the Federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Statute and Related Federal Criminal Laws |url=https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/97-1025.pdf |journal=[[Congressional Research Service]] |access-date=December 2, 2019 |archive-date=November 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191127211519/https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/97-1025.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
====1990s==== | |||
In 1990, the Secret Service initiated [[Operation Sundevil]], which they originally intended as a sting against malicious [[hacker (computer security)|hackers]], allegedly responsible for disrupting telephone services across the entire United States. The operation, which was later described by [[Bruce Sterling]] in his book ''[[The Hacker Crackdown]]'', affected a great number of people unrelated to hacking, and led to no convictions. The Secret Service, however, was sued and required to pay damages.{{Citation needed|date=September 2018}} On March 1, 1990, the Secret Service served a search warrant on [[Steve Jackson Games]], a small company in [[Austin, Texas]], seizing three computers and over 300 floppy disks. In the subsequent lawsuit, the judge reprimanded the Secret Service, calling their warrant preparation "sloppy."<ref name="tex437">{{cite court |litigants=Steve Jackson Games, Inc. v. United States Secret Service |vol=816 |reporter=F. Supp. |opinion=432 |pinpoint=437 |court=[[W.D. Tex.]] |date=1993 |url=https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/FSupp/816/432/1976489/ |access-date=May 29, 2020 }}</ref> | |||
In 1994 and 1995, it ran an undercover sting called [[Operation Cybersnare]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ctia.org/media/press/body.cfm/prid/1|title=Wireless Industry Salutes U.S. Secret Service|publisher=Ctia.org |date=September 11, 1995|access-date=August 9, 2012|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323160603/http://www.ctia.org/media/press/body.cfm/prid/1|archive-date=March 23, 2012}}</ref> The Secret Service has concurrent jurisdiction with the FBI over certain violations of federal computer crime laws. They have created 24 Electronic Crimes Task Forces (ECTFs) across the United States. These task forces are partnerships between the service, federal/state and local law enforcement, the private sector and academia aimed at combating technology-based crimes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ECTF and FCTF |url=https://www.secretservice.gov/contact/ectf-fctf |access-date=2024-01-20 |website=www.secretservice.gov}}</ref> | |||
In 1998, President [[Bill Clinton]] signed [[PDD-62|Presidential Decision Directive 62]], which established [[National Special Security Event]]s (NSSE). That directive made the Secret Service responsible for security at designated events. In 1999, the United States Secret Service Memorial Building was dedicated in DC, granting the agency its first headquarters. Prior to this, the agency's different departments were based in office space around the DC area.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.secretservice.gov/about/history/events/|title=History|website=secretservice.gov|access-date=May 14, 2017|archive-date=June 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170627204241/https://www.secretservice.gov/about/history/events/|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[General Services Administration]] acquired the United States Secret Service Memorial Building's adjoining property, the [[Webster School (Washington, D.C.)|Webster School]], for the Secret Service.<ref name=irwin>{{cite news | url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/409238073 | title=An Unlikely Savior for 1882 School | newspaper=The Washington Post | date=February 13, 2002 | accessdate=December 8, 2023 | author=Irwin, Neil | pages=E01| id={{ProQuest|409238073}} }}</ref> | |||
===21st century=== | |||
===2000s=== | |||
==== September 11 attacks ==== | |||
The New York City Field office was located at [[7 World Trade Center (1987–2001)|7 World Trade Center]]. Immediately after the [[World Trade Center (1973–2001)|World Trade Center]] was attacked as part of the [[September 11 attacks]], Special Agents and other New York Field office employees were among the first to respond with first aid. Sixty-seven Special Agents in New York City, at and near the New York Field Office, helped to set up [[triage]] areas and evacuate the towers. One Secret Service employee, Master Special Officer Craig Miller,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.odmp.org/officer/15843-master-special-officer-craig-j-miller |title=Master Special Officer Craig J. Miller |website=ODMP.org |publisher=The Officer Down Memorial Page, Inc. |access-date=August 12, 2013 |archive-date=November 5, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105013706/http://www.odmp.org/officer/15843-master-special-officer-craig-j-miller |url-status=dead }}</ref> died during the rescue efforts. On August 20, 2002, Director [[Brian L. Stafford]] awarded the Director's Valor Award to employees who assisted in the rescue attempts.<ref name=Kessler>{{cite book|title=In the President's Secret Service: Behind the Scenes with Agents in the Line of Fire and the Presidents They Protect|year=2009|publisher=Crown Publishing Group|last=Kessler|first=Ronald|isbn=9780307461353|url=https://archive.org/details/inpresidentssecr00kess|url-access=registration}}</ref> | |||
==== Domestic expansion ==== | |||
[[File:Secret Service Electronic Crimes Task Force (ECTF).jpg|thumb|Secret Service Electronic Crimes Task Force (ECTF)]] | |||
[[File:Secret Service Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Task Force (AFMLTF).png|thumb|Secret Service Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Task Force (AFMLTF)]] | |||
Effective March 1, 2003, the Secret Service transferred from the Treasury to the newly established Department of Homeland Security.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.secretservice.gov/about/history/events/#carousel|title=History|website=secretservice.gov|access-date=January 27, 2019|archive-date=June 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170627204241/https://www.secretservice.gov/about/history/events/#carousel|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
The [[USA Patriot Act]], signed into law by President [[George W. Bush]] on October 26, 2001, mandated the Secret Service to establish a nationwide network of ECTFs in addition to the one already active in New York. As such, this mandate expanded on the agency's first ECTF—the New York Electronic Crimes Task Force, formed in 1995—which brought together federal, state and local law enforcement, prosecutors, private-industry companies, and academia. These bodies collectively provide necessary support and resources to field investigations that meet any one of the following criteria: significant economic or community impact; participation of organized criminal groups involving multiple districts or transnational organizations; or use of schemes involving new technology.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.secretservice.gov/ectf.shtml|title=United States Secret Service: Electronic Crimes Task Forces and Working Groups |publisher=Secretservice.gov|date=October 26, 2001|access-date=August 9, 2012|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120806094838/http://www.secretservice.gov/ectf.shtml|archive-date=August 6, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.secretservice.gov/ectf_about.shtml|title=About the U.S. Secret Service Electronic Crimes Task Forces|publisher=Secretservice.gov|access-date=August 9, 2012|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120818184516/http://www.secretservice.gov/ectf_about.shtml|archive-date=August 18, 2012}}</ref> | |||
The network prioritizes investigations that meet the following criteria: | |||
* Significant economic or community impact, | |||
* Participation of multiple-district or transnational organized criminal groups, | |||
* Use of new technology as a means to commit crime. | |||
Investigations conducted by ECTFs include crimes such as computer generated counterfeit currency; bank fraud; virus and worm proliferation; access device fraud; telecommunications fraud; Internet threats; computer system intrusions and cyberattacks; phishing/spoofing; assistance with Internet-related child pornography and exploitation; and identity theft.<ref>{{cite web|title=United States Secret Service Electronic Crimes Task Forces|url=https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/USSS%20Electronic%20Crimes%20Task%20Force.pdf|publisher=US Department of Homeland Security|access-date=September 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829010121/https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/USSS%20Electronic%20Crimes%20Task%20Force.pdf|archive-date=August 29, 2017|url-status=dead}}{{PD-notice}}</ref> | |||
==== International expansion ==== | |||
[[File:Secret Service Cyber Intelligence Center (CIS).jpg|thumb|right|Secret Service Cyber Intelligence Center (CIS)]] | |||
On July 6, 2009, the U.S. Secret Service expanded its fight on [[cybercrime]] by creating the first [[European Electronic Crime Task Force]], based on the successful U.S. domestic model, through a memorandum of understanding with Italian police and postal officials. Over a year later, on August 9, 2010, the agency expanded its European involvement by creating its second overseas ECTF in the [[United Kingdom]].<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.secretservice.gov/press/GPA05-09_EuropeanECTF.pdf|title=United States Secret Service Signs Partnership Agreement With Italian Officials Establishing the First European Electronic Crimes Task Force |date=July 6, 2009|access-date=August 9, 2012|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120915122628/http://www.secretservice.gov/press/GPA05-09_EuropeanECTF.pdf |archive-date=September 15, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.secretservice.gov/press/GPA06-10_LondonECTF.pdf|title=United States Secret Service Signs Partnership Agreement With United Kingdom Officials Establishing the Second European Electronic Crimes Task Force|date=August 9, 2010|access-date=August 9, 2012|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120915122400/http://www.secretservice.gov/press/GPA06-10_LondonECTF.pdf |archive-date=September 15, 2012}}</ref> | |||
Both task forces are said to concentrate on a wide range of "computer-based criminal activity," including: | |||
* [[Identity theft]] | |||
* [[Data breach|Network intrusions]] | |||
* Other computer-related crimes affecting financial and other critical infrastructures. | |||
====2010s==== | |||
In September 2014, the United States Secret Service came under criticism following two high-profile incidents involving intruders at the White House. [[2014 White House intrusion|One such intruder entered the East Room]] of the White House through an unlocked door.<ref name="intruders">{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/secret-service-chief-acknowledges-white-house-intruder-entered-east-room-used-unlocked-door|title=House intruder entered East Room, used unlocked door|first=Ed|last=Henry|publisher=[[FOX News]], [[Associated Press]]|date=September 30, 2014|access-date=September 30, 2014|archive-date=September 30, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140930150222/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/09/30/issa-accuses-secret-service-giving-false-account-white-house-breach/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
====2020s==== | |||
On April 15, 2020, the ICE Homeland Security Investigations unit<ref name=unit>{{cite web |url=https://www.ice.gov/about-ice/homeland-security-investigations|title=Homeland Security Investigations : Overview|publisher=[[U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement]]|access-date=December 21, 2021}}</ref> launched "Operation Stolen Promise" that targets [[COVID-19]] related [[fraud]]. The operation conscripted resources from various branches of law enforcement and the government, including the U.S. Secret Service.<ref name=taking>{{cite web |url=https://www.dhs.gov/news/2020/04/24/fact-sheet-dhs-taking-covid-19-related-fraud |title=DHS is Taking on COVID-19 Related Fraud |publisher=[[United States Department of Homeland Security|Homeland Security]]|date=April 24, 2020 |access-date=December 21, 2021}}</ref> About $2 trillion in the relief package known as the [[CARES Act]] were earmarked by law in March 2020, bringing [[unemployment benefit]]s and loans to millions of Americans. However, as Secret Service spokesmen subsequently pointed out, the Act also opened up opportunities for criminals to fraudulently apply for aid. By the end of 2021, nearly two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, the Secret Service had seized more than $1.2 billion in relief funds appropriated by fraudsters.<ref name=act>{{cite news |last= Lyngaas|first=Sean|date=December 21, 2021|title=Secret Service accelerates crackdown on Covid-19 scams |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2021/12/21/politics/secret-service-covid-fraud/index.html |work=[[CNN]]|access-date=December 21, 2021}}</ref> | |||
On June 1, 2020, during a peaceful protest outside [[Lafayette Square, Washington, D.C.|Lafayette Square]], the U.S. Secret Service acted contrary to an operational plan and began advancing seven minutes before U.S. Park Police gave any dispersal warnings.<ref name=":0" /> This early deployment increased tensions between law enforcement and the protesters.<ref name=":0" /> They faced resistance and used pepper spray in response to eggs and bottles being thrown.<ref name=":0" /> Attorney General [[William Barr]] spoke with the U.S. Park Police operational commander seven minutes before the Secret Service began advancing, and again later, [[Donald Trump photo op at St. John's Church#Clearing Lafayette Square and St. John's|before President Trump visited]] a nearby Parish House to pose for a photo while holding a Bible.<ref name=":0" /> The U.S. Secret Service later apologized<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Review of U.S. Park Police Actions at Lafayette Park |url=https://www.oversight.gov/sites/default/files/oig-reports/DOI/SpecialReviewUSPPActionsAtLafayetteParkPublic.pdf}}</ref> but [[Joseph Cuffari]], the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General, prevented career officials from investigating the role U.S. Secret Service played in the Trump administration’s controversial use of force to remove protesters that day.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-04-20 |title=DHS Inspector General Blocked Investigation into Secret Service's Role in Clearing Protesters from Lafayette Square: Report |url=https://lawandcrime.com/high-profile/dhs-inspector-general-blocked-investigations-into-secret-services-role-in-clearing-protesters-from-lafayette-square-report/ |access-date=2022-11-02 |website=Law & Crime}}</ref> | |||
In August 2020, a Secret Service officer shot a man once in the chest at the corner of 17th Street and Pennsylvania during one of then-President Trump’s press conferences. The president was evacuated but returned later and told the White House press corps that the man had a gun. However, according to court documents, the man was actually holding a comb, told the officers he was armed and took a shooting stance before being shot. The man is schizophrenic and was charged with simple assault of a law enforcement officer.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carega |first=Christina Pomeroy/Associated |date=August 27, 2020 |title=Man shot by Secret Service officer outside White House was holding a black comb and suffers from mental illness, court documents say|url=https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2020/08/27/politics/white-house-secret-service-shooting/index.html |access-date=October 31, 2022 |website=CNN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author=Courtney Pomeroy|agency=Associated Press |date=August 27, 2020 |title=Court docs: Schizophrenic man shot by Secret Service outside White House had comb, not gun |url=https://wjla.com/news/local/court-docs-schizophrenic-man-shot-by-secret-service-outside-white-house-had-comb-not-gun |access-date=October 11, 2022 |website=WJLA}}</ref> | |||
A day before the [[January 6 United States Capitol attack]] in 2021, the Secret Service warned [[United States Capitol Police|Capitol Police]] of threats of violence that Capitol Police officers could face violence at the hands of supporters of President [[Donald Trump]].<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.politico.com/news/2021/08/25/secret-service-warned-capitol-police-violent-threats-january-riot-506806| title = Secret Service warned Capitol Police about violent threats 1 day before Jan. 6 - POLITICO| website = [[Politico]]| date = August 25, 2021}}</ref> On January 6, Secret Service agents provided security in and around the [[United States Capitol]], as well as evacuating Vice President [[Mike Pence]] during the riot.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/trump-s-actions-during-capitol-riot-put-pence-danger-national-n1257772|title = Trump didn't just know Pence was in danger. It's way worse than that|website = [[MSNBC]]| date=February 13, 2021 }}</ref> Testimony in Congress indicates Pence was concerned his security detail would remove him from the Capitol, stopping him from completing his duty to oversee the final count of electoral college votes. At the center of the controversy surrounding the Secret Service and January 6 investigations is [[Anthony M. Ornato]], who had been the head of Trump's security detail, but took the unprecedented step of leaving the Secret Service to become deputy White House chief of staff and becoming a "key part of Trump’s effort to get reelected."<ref>The Washington Post, "Jan. 6 showed two identities of Secret Service: Gutsy heroes vs. Trump yes-men", July 2, 2022, by Carol D. Leonnig,[https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/07/02/jan6-select-committee-cassidy-hutchinson-testimony-secret-service/]</ref> | |||
The Secret Service assisted in the seizure of hacker forum [[RaidForums]] in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/united-states-leads-seizure-one-world-s-largest-hacker-forums-and-arrests-administrator|title = United States Leads Seizure of One of the World's Largest Hacker Forums and Arrests Administrator|date = April 12, 2022}}</ref> | |||
In April 2022, four Secret Service agents, one of whom was assigned to First Lady Jill Biden, were placed on leave after accepting lavish gifts, rent free apartments, and other bribes from two men ultimately convicted of impersonating federal officers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Second D.C. man accused of posing as a federal agent pleads guilty |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/second-dc-man-accused-posing-federal-agent-pleads-guilty-rcna50875 |access-date=October 11, 2022 |website=NBC News |date=October 5, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Guns, drones, luxury apartments: Motive of accused police posers still unclear|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2022/04/30/ake-federal-agents-navy-yard-dc/ |access-date=October 11, 2022 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref> | |||
On August 24, 2022, President [[Joe Biden]] named [[Kimberly Cheatle]], the senior director of global security at [[PepsiCo]], as the agency's new director. Cheatle was in the Secret Service for 27 years and became the first woman to serve as assistant director of protective operations, a department tasked with protecting the president and dignitaries.<ref name="Viser_8/24/2022">{{cite news | last=Viser | first=Matt | title=Biden names second woman to head the Secret Service | newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] | date=August 24, 2022 | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/08/24/biden-first-woman-secret-service/ | access-date=October 11, 2022}}</ref> | |||
On November 12, 2023, a Secret Service agent guarding Naomi Biden fired shots at three people seen breaking into an unoccupied government vehicle in [[Georgetown, Washington, D.C.|Georgetown]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/13/us/politics/naomi-biden-secret-service-shoot-car.html|title=Secret Service Agent Protecting Naomi Biden Fires Gun During Car Break-In|website=[[The New York Times]]|first=Glenn|last=Thrush|authorlink=Glenn Thrush|date=November 13, 2023|access-date=November 13, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/13/politics/secret-service-dc-break-in/index.html|title=Secret Service agent on Biden's granddaughter's security detail fired weapon in response to car break-in|first=Betsy|last=Klein|website=[[CNN]]|date=November 13, 2023|access-date=November 13, 2023}}</ref> | |||
On July 13, 2024, Secret Service agents protecting former President [[Donald Trump]] at a campaign rally in [[Butler, Pennsylvania]] in advance of his presumptive [[Republican Party (United_States)|Republican]] candidacy in the [[2024 United States presidential election]], shot and killed [[Thomas Matthew Crooks]] during an [[Attempted assassination of Donald Trump in Pennsylvania|assassination attempt]] on Trump.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Arnsdorf |first=Isaac |last2=Knowles |first2=Hannah |last3=Kornfield |first3=Meryl |last4=Barrett |first4=Devlin |date=2024-07-14 |title=Trump rally shooting was assassination attempt on ex-president, FBI says |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/07/13/trump-rally-pennsylvania/ |access-date=2024-07-16 |work=Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Live updates: Trump says he was shot in the ear during rally; one attendee and shooter are dead |url=https://apnews.com/live/election-biden-trump-campaign-updates-07-13-2024 |access-date=2024-07-14 |website=Associated Press}}</ref> Crooks, armed with an [[AR-15–style rifle]], had shot at Trump from an elevated position near the venue.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Layne |first=Nathan |last2=McDermid |first2=Brendan |last3=Mason |first3=Jeff |date=14 July 2024 |title=Trump survives assassination attempt at campaign rally after major security lapse |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-shooting-raises-questions-about-security-lapses-2024-07-14/ |website=reuters.com}}</ref> Trump was injured in his right ear and quickly rushed to hospital, while Crooks was killed by a Secret Service counter-sniper.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tanyos |first=Faris |date=2024-07-14 |title=Trump rally shooter killed by Secret Service sniper, officials say|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-rally-shooter-death-attendee-butler-county-da/ |access-date=2024-07-14 |website=CBS News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Watson |first=Kathryn |date=2024-07-14 |title=Trump says bullet "pierced the upper part of my right ear" when shots were fired at Pennsylvania rally|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-says-shots-pierced-injured-ear-rally-pennsylvania/ |access-date=2024-07-14 |website=CBS News}}</ref> One other attendee, 50-year-old Corey Comperatore, was also killed by Crooks and several others in attendance were injured.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-15 |title=Man killed at Trump rally identified as firefighter Corey Comperatore, who ‘died a hero’ |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/07/14/politics/corey-comperatore-trump-shooting-victim/index.html |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=CNN}}</ref> | |||
On July 23, 2024, [[Kimberly Cheatle]] resigned from her position as the director of the Secret Service just one day after she testified before the [[United States House Committee on Oversight and Accountability]] about the assassination attempt and acknowledged it was "the most significant operational failure at the Secret Service in decades".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Broadwater |first=Luke |date=2024-07-22 |title=Live Updates: Secret Service Chief Testifies on ‘Failed’ Response at Trump Rally |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/07/22/us/secret-service-hearing-trump-cheatle |access-date=2024-07-22 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Takeaways from the House hearing with Secret Service Director Cheatle on the Trump assassination attempt |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/22/politics/takeaways-trump-shooting-secret-service-cheatle-hearing/index.html |access-date=22 July 2024 |work=[[CNN]] |date=2024-07-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/kimberly-cheatle-secret-service-house-oversight-committee-13a7aaf8|title=Secret Service Director's Testimony Sparks Bipartisan Calls for Her Resignation|work=The Wall Street Journal|first=C. Ryan|last=Barber|first2=Sadie|last2=Gurman|date=July 22, 2024|access-date=July 22, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/secret-service-director-kimberly-cheatle-resigns-sources/story?id=111990439|title=Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigns|first=Luke|last=Barr|first2=Aaron|last2=Katersky|first3=Julia|last3=Reinstein |website=ABC News |date=July 23, 2024|access-date=July 23, 2024}}</ref> | |||
==Attacks on presidents== | |||
{{Main|List of United States presidential assassination attempts and plots}} | |||
[[File:Reagan assassination attempt 4 crop.jpg|thumb|Secret Service agents responding to the assassination attempt of [[Ronald Reagan]] by [[John Hinckley Jr.]] on March 30, 1981]] | |||
Since the 1960s, presidents [[John F. Kennedy]] (killed), [[Gerald Ford]] (twice attacked, but uninjured) and [[Ronald Reagan]] (seriously wounded) have been attacked while appearing in public.<ref>{{cite web|first=Elaine |last=Quijano |url=http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/05/10/bush.georgia/index.html|title=Secret Service told grenade landed near Bush|publisher=CNN.com |date=May 10, 2005|access-date=August 9, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Chilcote|url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/01/11/georgia.grenade/index.html|title=Bush grenade attacker gets life|publisher=CNN|date=January 11, 2006|access-date=January 3, 2007|archive-date=July 4, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080704105908/http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/01/11/georgia.grenade/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Agents on scene, though not injured, during attacks on presidents include [[William Greer]] and [[Roy Kellerman]]. One of the agents was [[Robert DeProspero]], the Special Agent In Charge (SAIC) of Reagan's Presidential Protective Division (PPD) from January 1982 to April 1985. DeProspero was deputy to [[Jerry Parr]], the SAIC of PPD during the Reagan assassination attempt on March 30, 1981.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Petro|first1=Joseph|first2=Jeffrey|last2=Robinson|author2-link=Jeffrey Robinson|title=Standing Next to History, An Agent's Life Inside the Secret Service|publisher=St. Martin's Press|location=New York|year=2005|pages=[https://archive.org/details/standingnexttohi00petr/page/140 140–141 & 202–204]|isbn=978-0-312-33221-1|url=https://archive.org/details/standingnexttohi00petr/page/140}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://alumni.wvu.edu/awards/academy/1995/robert_deprospero/ |title=Robert L. DeProspero |year=2005 |website=WVUAlumni |publisher=West Virginia University Alumni Association |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013212453/http://alumni.wvu.edu/awards/academy/1995/robert_deprospero/ |archive-date=October 13, 2007 |access-date=August 12, 2013}}</ref> | |||
[[File:President George W. Bush greets troops guarded by Secret Service.jpg|thumb|left|Secret Service agents guard President [[George W. Bush]] in 2008]] | |||
The [[Assassination of John F. Kennedy|Kennedy assassination]] spotlighted the bravery of two Secret Service agents. First, an agent protecting Mrs. Kennedy, [[Clint Hill (Secret Service)|Clint Hill]], was riding in the car directly behind the presidential limousine when the attack began. While the shooting continued, Hill leaped from the running board of the car he was riding on and jumped onto the back of the president's moving car and guided Mrs. Kennedy from the trunk back into the rear seat of the car. He then shielded the president and the first lady with his body until the car arrived at the hospital. | |||
[[Rufus Youngblood]] was riding in the vice-presidential car. When the shots were fired, he vaulted over the front seat and threw his body over Vice President [[Lyndon B. Johnson]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Johnson Praises Agent's Bravery: Honors Guard Who Shielded Him in Dallas Shooting 'Courage' Is Cited|newspaper=The New York Times|date=December 5, 1963|page=32|agency=Associated Press}}</ref> That evening, Johnson called Secret Service Chief [[James J. Rowley]] and cited Youngblood's bravery.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,875362-2,00.html|title=The Transfer of Power|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|date=November 29, 1963|access-date=June 25, 2007|archive-date=September 30, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930115642/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,875362-2,00.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|title=Johnson Says Agent in Dallas Screened Him With His Body |newspaper=The New York Times|date=November 27, 1963|page=21}}</ref> Youngblood would later recall some of this in his memoir, ''Twenty Years in the Secret Service''. | |||
The period following the Kennedy assassination was the most difficult in the modern history of the agency. Press reports indicated that morale among the agents was "low" for months following the assassination.<ref>{{cite book|title=Twenty Years in the Secret Service|publisher=Simon and Schuster|location=New York |year=1973 |first=Rufus |last=Youngblood |pages=147–149}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.assassinationresearch.com/v4n1.html|title=Survivor's Guilt: The Secret Service and the Failure to Protect the President|access-date=June 29, 2007|archive-date=June 29, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070629215728/http://www.assassinationresearch.com/v4n1.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The agency overhauled its procedures in the wake of the Kennedy killing. Training, which until that time had been confined largely to "on-the-job" efforts, was systematized and regularized. | |||
The [[Reagan assassination attempt]] also involved several Secret Service agents, particularly agent [[Tim McCarthy]], who spread his stance to protect Reagan as six bullets were being fired by the would-be assassin, [[John Hinckley Jr.]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/he-took-a-bullet-for-reagan/|title=He Took a Bullet for Reagan|quote='In the Secret Service,' [McCarthy] continued, 'we're trained to cover and evacuate the president. And to cover the president, you have to get as large as you can, rather than hitting the deck.'|date=June 11, 2004|publisher=CBS News|access-date=November 10, 2008|archive-date=May 22, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522150713/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/06/11/earlyshow/main622527.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> McCarthy survived a .22-caliber round in the abdomen. For his bravery, McCarthy received the [[NCAA Award of Valor]] in 1982.<ref>By means of the [[NCAA Award of Valor]], the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association]] recognizes "courageous action or noteworthy bravery" by persons involved with intercollegiate athletics. McCarthy had played [[NCAA football]] at the [[University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign|University of Illinois]].</ref> [[Jerry Parr]], the agent who pushed President Reagan into the limousine, and made the critical decision to divert the presidential motorcade to George Washington University Hospital instead of returning to the White House, was also honored with U.S. Congress commendations for his actions that day.<ref>Wilber, Del Quentin (2011). ''Rawhide Down: The Near Assassination of Ronald Reagan''. Macmillan. | |||
{{ISBN|0-8050-9346-X}}.</ref> | |||
==Significant investigations== | |||
One significant Secret Service investigation was the arrest and indictment of [[Max Butler|Max Ray Butler]], co-founder of the Carders Market [[Carding (fraud)|carding]] website. Butler was indicted by a federal [[grand jury]] in [[Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]], after his September 5, 2007 arrest, on [[Mail and wire fraud|wire fraud]] and [[identity theft]] charges. According to the indictment, Butler hacked into computers at financial institutions and credit card processing centers over the [[Internet]] and sold the tens of thousands of credit card numbers that he acquired in the process.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.secretservice.gov/press/GPA11-07_PITIndictment.pdf|title=Secret Service Investigation Disrupts Identity Theft Ring|date=September 13, 2007|access-date=August 9, 2012|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120915122044/http://www.secretservice.gov/press/GPA11-07_PITIndictment.pdf |archive-date=September 15, 2012}}</ref> | |||
===Operation Firewall=== | |||
{{Main article|Operation Firewall}} | |||
In October 2004, 28 suspects—located across eight U.S. states and six countries—were arrested on charges of identity theft, computer fraud, credit-card fraud, and conspiracy. Nearly 30 national and foreign field offices of the U.S. Secret Service, including the newly established national ECTFs, and countless local enforcement agencies from around the globe, were involved in this operation. Collectively, the arrested suspects trafficked in at least 1.7 million stolen credit card numbers, which amounted to $4.3 million of losses to financial institutions. However, authorities estimated that prevented loss to the industry was in the hundreds of millions of dollars. The operation, which started in July 2003 and lasted for more than a year, led investigators to identify three cybercriminal groups: [[ShadowCrew|Shadowcrew]], Carderplanet, and Darkprofits.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.secretservice.gov/press/pub2304.pdf|title=U.S. Secret Service's Operation Firewall Nets 28 Arrests|date=October 28, 2004|access-date=August 9, 2012|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120915122038/http://www.secretservice.gov/press/pub2304.pdf|archive-date=September 15, 2012}}</ref> | |||
From the investigation, there was the arrest and indictment of [[Albert Gonzalez]] and 11 other individuals: three U.S. citizens, one from Estonia, three from Ukraine, two from the People's Republic of China, one from Belarus, and one known only by an online alias. They were arrested on August 5, 2008, for the theft and sale of more than 40 million credit and debit card numbers from major U.S. retailers, including [[TJX Companies]], [[BJ's Wholesale Club]], [[OfficeMax]], [[Boston Market]], [[Barnes & Noble]], [[Sports Authority]], [[Forever 21]], and [[DSW, Inc.|DSW]]. Gonzalez, the main organizer of the scheme, was charged with computer fraud, wire fraud, access device fraud, aggravated identity theft, and conspiracy for his leading role in the crime.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.secretservice.gov/press/GPA15-08_CyberIndictments_Final.pdf|title=Additional Indictments Announced in Ongoing Secret Service Network Intrusion Investigation |date=August 5, 2008|access-date=August 9, 2012|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120915122313/http://www.secretservice.gov/press/GPA15-08_CyberIndictments_Final.pdf |archive-date=September 15, 2012}}</ref> | |||
==Personnel== | |||
[[File:Secret Service agents protecting President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.png|thumb|Secret Service agents protecting President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama]] | |||
As of 2010, the service had over 6,500 employees: 3,200 Special Agents, 1,300 Uniformed Division Officers, and 2,000 technical and administrative employees.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.secretservice.gov/faq.shtml#faq8|title=United States Secret Service: Frequently Asked Questions|publisher=SecretService.gov|date=January 1, 1997|access-date=August 9, 2012|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100323234945/http://www.secretservice.gov/faq.shtml#faq8|archive-date=March 23, 2010}}</ref> Special agents serve on protective details and investigate financial, cyber, and [[homeland security]]-related crimes. | |||
===Special Agent=== | |||
[[File:Secret Service agents executing a protective operation.png|thumb|left|Secret Service agents executing a protective operation]] | |||
The Secret Service's most familiar personnel are the plain-clothes investigators and personal protectors, who form almost half their total number. This [[special agent]] position is highly selective, with for example in 2011, the service accepting less than 1% of its 15,600 special agent applicants.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2012-04-25/secret-service-agent-selection-toughter-than-harvard|title=Secret Service Agent Selection Tougher Than Harvard|website=[[Bloomberg News]]|date=April 25, 2012|access-date=September 23, 2017|archive-date=September 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170923144917/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2012-04-25/secret-service-agent-selection-toughter-than-harvard|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
At a minimum, a prospective agent must be a U.S. citizen, possess a current valid driver's license, be in excellent health and physical condition, possess visual acuity no worse than 20/100 uncorrected or correctable to 20/20 in each eye, and be between age 21–37 at the time of appointment,<ref name="USSS">{{cite web|title=Special Agent: Career Path|url=https://www.secretservice.gov/join/careers/agents/|publisher=US Secret Service|access-date=September 24, 2017|archive-date=October 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011180618/https://www.secretservice.gov/join/careers/agents/|url-status=live}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> but eligible veterans may apply past age 37. In 2009, the Office of Personnel Management issued implementation guidance on the ''Isabella v. Department of State'' court decision: OPM Letter.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chcoc.gov/Transmittals/TransmittalDetails.aspx?TransmittalID=2484|title=CHCOC.gov|publisher=CHCOC.gov|date=August 26, 2009|access-date=August 9, 2012|archive-date=August 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120808110540/http://www.chcoc.gov/Transmittals/TransmittalDetails.aspx?TransmittalID=2484|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Prospective agents must also qualify for a TS/SCI (Top Secret / [[Sensitive Compartmented Information]]) clearance, and undergo an extensive background investigation, to include in-depth interviews, drug screening, medical diagnosis, and full-scope polygraph examination.<ref name="USSS"/> | |||
[[File:Secret Service agent trainees at the James J. Rowley Training Center (RTC).jpg|thumb|Secret Service agent trainees at the James J. Rowley Training Center (RTC)]] | |||
Special agents receive training in two locations, totaling approximately 31 weeks. The first phase, the Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP) is conducted at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's [[Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers]] (FLETC) in [[Glynco, Georgia]], lasting approximately 13 weeks. The second phase, the Special Agent Training Course (SATC) is conducted at the Secret Service Academy, [[James J. Rowley Training Center]] (JJRTC), just outside [[Washington, D.C.]] in [[Laurel, Maryland]], lasting approximately 18 weeks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.secretservice.gov/join/training|title=Agent Training|access-date=September 23, 2017|archive-date=May 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170512024959/https://www.secretservice.gov/join/training/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
[[File:Secret Service agent trainees practice executing a search warrant.jpg|thumb|left|Secret Service agent trainees practice executing a search warrant.]] | |||
A typical special agent career path, depending upon performance and promotions that affect individual assignments, begins with the first six to eight years on the job assigned to a field office. Applicants are directed to list their office location preference during the application process, and upon receiving a final job offer, usually have several locations to choose from.<ref name="USSS"/> After their field office experience, agents are usually transferred to a protective assignment where they will stay for three to five years. Following their protective assignment, many agents return to a field office for the rest of their careers, or opt for a headquarters based assignment located in Washington, D.C. During their careers, agents also have the opportunity to work overseas in one of the agency's international field offices. This typically requires foreign language training to ensure language proficiency when working alongside the agency's foreign law enforcement counterparts.<ref name="USSS"/> | |||
Special agents are hired at the [[General Schedule (US civil service pay scale)#List of other pay scale terms|GL]]-07, GL-09, or GS-11 grade level, depending on individual qualifications and/or education.<ref name="USSS"/> Agents are eligible for promotion on a yearly basis, from GL-07, to GL-09, to GS-11, to GS-12, to GS-13. The full performance grade level for a journeyman field agent is GS-13, which a GL-07, GL-09, or GS-11 agent may reach in as little as four, three, or two years respectively. GS-13 agents are eligible for competitive promotion to supervisory positions, which encompasses the GS-14, GS-15, and SES grade levels. Higher ranks continue to use variations on the "Special Agent" title, as with several other Federal agencies with a plainclothes or investigatory role. GS-13 agents who wish to remain as rank-and-file field agents, will continue to advance the GS-13 step level, capping at GS-13 Step 10. | |||
Special agents also receive Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP), a type of premium overtime pay which provides them with an additional 25% bonus pay on top of their salary, as agents are required to work an average workweek of 50 hours as opposed to 40.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/pay-administration/fact-sheets/availability-pay|title=LEAP Pay|access-date=September 23, 2017|archive-date=September 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170923095924/https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/pay-administration/fact-sheets/availability-pay/|url-status=live}}</ref> As of 2024, an agent living in the Greater New York City area (NY, NJ, CT) will earn an annual salary of $71,993 (GL-07), $88,060 (GL-09), $106,545 (GS-11), $127,704 (GS-12), $151,856 (GS-13), $179,449 (GS-14), and $191,900 (GS-15). Journeyman field agents at GS-13 Step 10 are also paid a salary of $191,900.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2024/law-enforcement-officer-salary-calculator/|title=LEAP Salary Calculator|access-date=January 8, 2024|archive-date=December 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171225092359/https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2020/law-enforcement-officer-salary-calculator|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Due to the nature of their work, Secret Service agents are regularly eligible for scheduled overtime pay in addition to LEAP, and enjoy a raised statutory pay cap of $221,900 per year (Level II of the Executive Schedule).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.congress.gov/congressional-report/114th-congress/house-report/837/1 |title=Secret Service Agent Overtime Pay |access-date=September 27, 2017 |archive-date=September 6, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906212603/https://www.congress.gov/congressional-report/114th-congress/house-report/837/1 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | |||
===Uniformed Division Officer=== | |||
{{Main|United States Secret Service Uniformed Division}} | |||
[[File:Secret Service officer and his police dog as part of the Emergency Response Team (ERT).png|thumb|Secret Service officer and his police dog as part of the Emergency Response Team (ERT)]] | |||
The Secret Service Uniformed Division is a [[security police]] similar to the [[United States Capitol Police|U.S. Capitol Police]] or [[Federal Protective Service (United States)|DHS Federal Protective Service]], with "police" rather than "agent"-style ranks. It is in charge of protecting the physical [[White House]] grounds and foreign diplomatic missions in the [[Washington, D.C.]] area. Established in 1922 as the [[White House Police Force|White House Police]], this organization was fully integrated into the Secret Service in 1930. In 1970, the protection of foreign diplomatic missions was added to the force's responsibilities, and its name was changed to the Executive Protective Service. The name United States Secret Service Uniformed Division was adopted in 1977. | |||
Secret Service Uniformed Division officers provide protection for the White House Complex, the vice president's residence, the main Treasury Building and Annex, and foreign diplomatic missions and embassies in the Washington, D.C., area. Additionally, Uniformed Division officers travel in support of presidential, vice presidential and foreign head of state government missions.<ref name="Uniformed"/> Officers may, as their careers progress, be selected to participate in one of several specialized units, including the: | |||
* Canine Unit: Performing security sweeps and responding to bomb threats and suspicious packages. | |||
* Emergency Response Team: Providing a coordinated tactical response for the White House and other protected facilities. | |||
* Counter-sniper Team: Utilizing observation, sighting equipment and high-performance weapons to provide a secure environment for protectees. | |||
* Motorcade Support Unit: Providing motorcycle tactical support for official movements of motorcades. | |||
* Crime Scene Search Unit: Photographing, collecting and processing physical and latent evidence. | |||
* Office of Training: Serving as firearms and classroom instructors or recruiters. | |||
* Special Operations Section: Handling special duties and functions at the White House Complex, including conducting the daily congressional and public tours of the White House.<ref name="Uniformed">{{cite web|url=https://www.secretservice.gov/join/careers/uniformed|title=Uniformed Division Careers|access-date=September 24, 2017|archive-date=May 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170505114703/https://www.secretservice.gov/join/careers/uniformed/|url-status=live}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> | |||
==Weapons and equipment== | |||
[[File:Snipers Perched.jpg|alt=Two men on a roof with rifles positioned on tripods|thumb|Two snipers protect Vice President [[Mike Pence]] in [[Indianapolis]] in 2017]] | |||
Since the agency's inception, a variety of weapons have been carried by its agents. | |||
===Weapons=== | |||
Agents and officers are trained on standard shoulder weapons that include the [[FN P90]] submachine gun, the 9mm [[Heckler & Koch MP5]] submachine gun, and the 12-gauge [[Remington 870]] [[shotgun]].<ref name="jones2009">Jones, Richard D. (January 27, 2009). ''Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010'' 35th edition. Jane's Information Group. {{ISBN|978-0-7106-2869-5}}.</ref> | |||
[[File:Secret Service on White House roof.jpg|thumb|left|Secret Service counter-sniper marksman on top of the White House's roof, armed with a sniper rifle]] | |||
As a [[non-lethal weapon|non-lethal]] option, Special Agents, Special Officers, and Uniformed Division Officers are armed with the ASP 16" expandable [[Baton (law enforcement)|baton]], and Uniformed Division officers also carry [[pepper spray]]. | |||
Special Operations Division (SOD) units are authorized to use a variety of non-standard weapons. The [[Secret Service Counter Assault Team|Counter Assault Team]] (CAT) and the Emergency Response Team (ERT) both use the 5.56mm Knight's Armament Company SR-16 CQB assault rifle in an 11.5" configuration. CAT also deploys 12 gauge [[Remington Model 870|Remington 870]] MCS breaching shotguns. Uniform Division technicians assigned to the Counter Sniper Team (CS) use custom built [[.300 Winchester Magnum]]-chambered bolt-action rifles. These rifles are built with [[Remington Model 700|Remington 700]] long actions in Accuracy International stocks and use Schmidt & Bender optics. CS technicians also use the [[7.62×51mm NATO|7.62mm]] [[SR-25|KAC SR-25/Mk11]] Mod 0 semi-automatic sniper rifle with a [[Trijicon]] 5.5× [[Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight|ACOG]] optic.<ref>"The Gear and Guns of the Secret Service". ''World of Firepower''. Vol. 4, Issue 3, May/June 2016. pp. 9–10. ASIN: B01GK8XJEY.</ref> | |||
====Sidearms==== | |||
The Secret Service's current duty sidearm, the [[SIG Sauer P226#P229|SIG-Sauer P229]] double-action/single-action pistol chambered in [[.357 SIG]], entered service in 1999. It is the issued handgun to all special agents as well as officers of the Uniformed Division. As of 2019, the SIG-Sauer P229 is scheduled to be replaced with [[Glock Ges.m.b.H.#Handguns|Glock]] [[9×19mm Parabellum|9mm]] pistols.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/us-secret-service-switching-9mm-glock-pistols/story?id=64719349 |title=US Secret Service switching to 9mm Glock pistols |last=Francescani |first=Chis |date=August 1, 2019 |publisher=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|access-date=August 1, 2019 |archive-date=August 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190802005335/https://abcnews.go.com/US/us-secret-service-switching-9mm-glock-pistols/story?id=64719349 |url-status=live}}</ref> Most special agents will be issued the [[Glock]] 19 Gen 5 MOS with forward slide serrations, Ameriglo Bold night sights, and a Streamlight TLR-7A weapon light.<ref>{{cite web |last1=MIHALEK |first1=DONALD J. |title=CONFIRMED: US Secret Service Adopts Glock 19, G47 MOS Gen5 Pistols |url=https://www.tactical-life.com/news/us-secret-service-glock-19-pistols/ |website=www.tactical-life.com |access-date=December 13, 2021 |date=August 1, 2019}}</ref> The Special Operations Division will be issued the Glock 47 with Ameriglo Bold sights and a [[SureFire|Surefire]] X300 Ultra weapon light.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Eger |first1=Chris |title=U.S. Secret Service Reportedly Goes Glock |url=https://www.guns.com/news/2019/08/02/u-s-secret-service-reportedly-goes-glock |website=Guns.com |access-date=December 13, 2021 |date=August 2, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=D'Costa |first1=Ian |title=The Secret Service is ditching .357 SIG for 9mm |url=https://www.militarytimes.com/off-duty/gearscout/irons/2019/08/02/the-secret-service-is-ditching-357-sig-for-9mm/ |website=Military Times |publisher=Sightline Media Group |access-date=23 July 2024 |date=3 August 2019}}</ref> | |||
===Badges=== | |||
<gallery class="center"> | |||
File:Badge of the United States Secret Service (1875–1890).png| Secret Service badge (1875–1890) | |||
File:Badge of the United States Secret Service (1890–1971).png| Secret Service badge (1890–1971) | |||
File:Badge of the United States Secret Service (1971–2003).png| Secret Service badge (1971–2003) | |||
File:Badge of the United States Secret Service.png| Secret Service badge (2003–present) | |||
</gallery> | |||
===Attire=== | |||
[[File:2010SecretServiceMN.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Secret Service agent in business suit working President Obama's protection detail]] | |||
Special agents and special officers of the Secret Service wear attire that is appropriate for their surroundings, in order to blend in as much as possible. In most circumstances, the attire of a close protection shift is a conservative suit, but it can range from a tuxedo to casual clothing as required by the environment. Stereotypically, Secret Service agents are often portrayed wearing reflective sunglasses and a communication earpiece. Often their attire is customized to conceal the wide array of equipment worn in service. Agents wear a distinctive [[lapel pin]] that identifies them to other agents.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://qz.com/1478513/new-us-secret-service-lapel-pins-will-come-with-a-secret-security-feature/|title=New US Secret Service lapel pins will come with a secret security feature|publisher=Quartz.com|date=November 30, 2018|access-date=September 26, 2019|archive-date=September 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927032741/https://qz.com/1478513/new-us-secret-service-lapel-pins-will-come-with-a-secret-security-feature/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
The attire for Uniformed Division Officers includes standard police uniforms or [[utility uniform]]s and ballistic/identification vests for members of the counter-sniper team, Emergency Response Team (ERT), and canine officers. The [[shoulder patch]] of the Uniformed Division consists of the U.S. coat of arms on white or black, depending on the garment. Also, the shoulder patch is embroidered with "U.S. Secret Service Uniformed Division Police" around the emblem.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://americanhistory.si.edu/presidency/2b4_b.html|title=The American Presidency|publisher=Americanhistory.si.edu|date=March 14, 2012|access-date=August 9, 2012|archive-date=August 19, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120819145448/http://americanhistory.si.edu/presidency/2b4_b.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
===Vehicles=== | |||
[[File:Secret service.jpg|thumb|Ford Taurus of the [[United States Secret Service Uniformed Division|Uniformed Division]] of the Secret Service]] | |||
[[File:Allegheny County PD K9 screening a Secret Service vehicle.jpg|thumb|An [[Allegheny County Police Department|Allegheny County Police]] officer and his working dog screening a US Secret Service vehicle for explosives]] | |||
When transporting the president in a motorcade, the Secret Service uses a fleet of custom-built armored [[Cadillac]] Limousines, the newest and largest version of which is known as "[[Presidential state car (United States)#Current model|The Beast]]". Armored [[Chevrolet Suburban]]s are also used when logistics require such a vehicle or when a more low-profile appearance is required. For official movement, the limousine is affixed with U.S. and presidential flags and the presidential seal on the rear doors. For unofficial events, the vehicles are left sterile and unadorned.<ref name="Kessler" /> | |||
Government audits have criticized the Secret Service for a "slow embrace of technology", according to ''[[The New York Times]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lipton |first1=Eric |last2=Fahrenthold |first2=David A. |title=Secret Service’s Tech Flaws Helped Gunman Evade Detection at Trump Rally |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/01/us/politics/secret-service-technology-trump.html |access-date=1 August 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=1 August 2024}}</ref> | |||
==Field offices== | |||
[[File:Secret Service Field Office Locations.png|thumb|Secret Service field offices, as of September 2014]] | |||
{{Main|List of United States Secret Service field offices}} | |||
The Secret Service has agents assigned to 136 field offices and field agencies, and the headquarters in Washington, D.C. The service's offices are located in cities throughout the United States and the world. The offices in [[Lyon]] (France) and [[The Hague]] (Netherlands) are respectively responsible for liaison with the headquarters of [[Interpol]] and [[Europol]], located in those cities.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.secretservice.gov/field_offices.shtml |title=United States Secret Service Field Office Contact Details |publisher=United States Secret Service |access-date=September 6, 2014 |archive-date=September 6, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140906194219/http://www.secretservice.gov/field_offices.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
==Misconduct== | |||
{{See also|6th Summit of the Americas#U.S. security misconduct}} | |||
On April 14, 2012, the U.S. Secret Service placed 11 agents on administrative leave as the agency investigated allegations that the men brought prostitutes to their hotel rooms in [[Cartagena, Colombia]], while on assignment to protect President Obama and that a dispute ensued with one of the women over payment the following morning.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[Washington Post]]|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/secret-service-scandal-and-alleged-prostitution-inquiry-began-with-night-of-partying/2012/04/14/gIQAytztHT_story.html|title=11 Secret Service agents put on leave amid prostitution inquiry|date=April 14, 2012|author=David Nakamura}}</ref> | |||
After the incident was publicized, the Secret Service implemented new rules for its personnel.<ref>{{cite web|title=Secret Service amends standards of conduct after KIRO 7 investigation|url=http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/secret-service-amends-standards-conduct-after-kiro/nMkQJ/|publisher=KIRO-TV|access-date=April 30, 2012|date=April 27, 2012|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120504215800/http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/secret-service-amends-standards-conduct-after-kiro/nMkQJ/|archive-date=May 4, 2012}}</ref><ref name="CBS News 20120429">{{cite web|title=New code of conduct issued for Secret Service agents|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-code-of-conduct-issued-for-secret-service-agents/|publisher=CBS News|access-date=April 29, 2012|first1=Norah|last1=O'Donnell|first2=Jillian|last2=Hughes|date=April 27, 2012|archive-date=April 28, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120428234545/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57423390/new-code-of-conduct-issued-for-secret-service-agents/|url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Schmidt|first=Michael S.|title=Secret Service Tightens Travel Rules for Its Staff|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/28/us/secret-service-tightens-rules-for-employees-traveling-abroad.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=April 29, 2012|newspaper=The New York Times|date=April 27, 2012|archive-date=April 28, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120428204042/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/28/us/secret-service-tightens-rules-for-employees-traveling-abroad.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Secret Service imposes new rules on agents for foreign trips |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/secret-service-imposes-new-rules-on-agents-for-foreign-trips/2012/04/27/gIQAtYl9lT_story.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=April 29, 2012 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=April 28, 2012 |first1=David |last1=Nakamura |author-link=David Nakamura |first2=Ed |last2=O'Keefe |author2-link=Ed O'Keefe (journalist) |archive-date=April 28, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120428150024/http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/secret-service-imposes-new-rules-on-agents-for-foreign-trips/2012/04/27/gIQAtYl9lT_story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The rules prohibit personnel from visiting "non-reputable establishments"<ref name="CBS News 20120429" /> and from consuming alcohol less than ten hours before starting work. Additionally, they restrict who is allowed in hotel rooms.<ref name="CBS News 20120429" /> | |||
In 2015, two inebriated senior Secret Service agents drove an official car into the White House complex and collided with a barrier. Chairperson of the [[United States House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform]] that investigated the incident was [[Jason Chaffetz]]. Chaffetz, whose committee oversees the Secret Service, never disclosed that he had applied for and was rejected from the agency in the 2000s. | |||
In September 2015, it was revealed that 18 Secret Service employees or supervisors, including Assistant Director Ed Lowery, accessed an unsuccessful 2003 application by Chaffetz for employment with the agency and discussed leaking the information to the media in retaliation for Chaffetz' investigations of agency misconduct. The confidential personal information was later leaked to ''[[The Daily Beast]]''. Agency Director Joe Clancy apologized to Chaffetz and said that disciplinary action would be taken against those responsible.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Caldwell |first1=Alicia A. |url=http://www.stripes.com/investigation-secret-service-tried-to-discredit-us-lawmaker-1.371132 |title=Federal investigation: Secret Service tried to discredit US lawmaker |agency=[[Associated Press]] |website=[[Stars and Stripes (newspaper)|Stars and Stripes]] |date=September 30, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002041108/http://www.stripes.com/federal-investigation-secret-service-tried-to-discredit-us-lawmaker-1.371132 |archive-date= Oct 2, 2015 }}</ref> | |||
In March 2017, a member of Vice President [[Mike Pence]]'s detail was suspended after the agent was caught visiting a prostitute at a hotel in Maryland.<ref>{{cite web |url-status=live |last1=Landers |first1=Elizabeth |first2=Mary Kay |last2=Mallonee |first3=Peter |last3=Morris |url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/04/05/politics/secret-service-agent-prostitute-maryland-hotel/index.html |title=First on CNN: Secret Service agent on VP's detail caught after meeting with prostitute at Maryland hotel |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170406002030/http://www.cnn.com/2017/04/05/politics/secret-service-agent-prostitute-maryland-hotel/index.html |archive-date=April 6, 2017 |date=April 5, 2017 |website=CNN Politics }}</ref> | |||
In July 2022, during President Biden's trip to the Middle East, a Secret Service agent was sent back to the United States from Israel after indiscriminately assaulting a woman who was walking in the street, next to a bar in [[Mahane Yehuda Market|Machane Yehuda]]. A Secret Service spokesman said in a statement that the agency was informed of the encounter, and the agent, who was working in Israel, was "briefly detained and questioned by Israeli police, who released him without charges."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Secret Service agent sent back to U.S. from Israel after alleged "physical encounter" |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/secret-service-agent-israel-physical-encounter/ |access-date=July 14, 2022 |website=CBS News |first1= Bo |last1=Erickson |first2=Nicole |last2=Sganga |first3=Camilla |last3=Schick |date=July 13, 2022}}</ref> | |||
On July 15, 2022, ''[[The Intercept]]'' reported that a letter from the Department of Homeland Security revealed the Secret Service had erased text messages from the day before and day of the [[January 6 insurrection]], shortly after those messages were requested by oversight officials investigating the agency’s response to the US Capitol riots.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Secret Service Deleted Jan. 6 Text Messages After Oversight Officials Requested Them |first1=Ken |last1=Klippenstein |url=https://theintercept.com/2022/07/14/jan-6-texts-deleted-secret-service/ |access-date=July 14, 2022 |website=The Intercept |url-access=registration |date=July 14, 2022}}</ref> The agency claimed that the messages “were erased as part of a device-replacement program,” although the agency is bound by regulation to preserve all records of its activity (including text messages, emails, and other electronic communications). According to ''[[Politico]]'' on July 19, 2022, as new material becomes available to the [[United States House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack]], "a potential [[Public hearings of the United States House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack#Schedule|second round of hearings]] gets slated for the fall [of 2022]".<ref name="POL-20220719">{{cite news |last1=Cheney |first1=Kyle |last2=Wu |first2=Nicholas |last3=McGraw |first3=Meridith |title='Sprint through the finish': Why the Jan. 6 committee isn't nearly done - The panel has a much-anticipated hearing Thursday that is expected to feature former Trump White House press aide Sarah Matthews and former deputy national security adviser Matthew Pottinger. But that won't be the end. |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2022/07/19/sprint-through-the-finish-why-the-jan-6-committee-isnt-nearly-done-00046453 |date=July 19, 2022 |work=[[Politico]] |accessdate=July 20, 2022 }}</ref> Such related new materials may include further details regarding “the potential unauthorized deletion” of text messages, particularly those from around January 5 and 6, 2021, by the Secret Service, then headed by Director [[James M. Murray]], an appointee by then-President Trump in 2019.<ref name="WP-20220719">{{cite news |last1=Leonnig |first1=Carol D. |last2=Sacchetti |first2=Maria |title=Secret Service cannot recover texts; no new details for Jan. 6 committee |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/07/19/secret-service-texts/ |date=July 19, 2022 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |accessdate=July 20, 2022 }}</ref><ref name="WP-20220720cdl">{{cite news |last1=Leonnig |first1=Carol D. |last2=Sacchetti |first2=Maria |title=Secret Service watchdog knew in February that texts had been purged |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2022/07/20/secret-service-national-archives/ |date=July 20, 2022 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |accessdate=July 21, 2022 }}</ref> The Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general has initiated a criminal investigation into the erasure of text messages exchanged by Secret Service agents relating to the January 6 Capitol breach.<ref>Forbes, "Secret Service Under Criminal Investigation For Deleting Jan. 6 Texts", July 21, 2022 [https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2022/07/21/secret-service-under-criminal-investigation-for-deleting-jan-6-texts/?sh=24e3f4567f39]</ref><ref name="WP-20220723">{{cite news |author=The Editorial Board |title=The Secret Service texting scandal demands answers |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/07/23/secret-service-jan-6-texting-scandal-demands-answers/ |date=July 23, 2022 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |accessdate=July 23, 2022 }}</ref> | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
* [[ | {{Portal|United States}} | ||
* [[ | * [[Bodyguard]] | ||
* [[Secret | * [[Commander-in-Chief's Guard]] – the [[American Revolutionary War]] unit that also had the dual responsibilities of protecting the Commander-in-Chief and the Continental Army's money | ||
* [[List of protective service agencies]] | |||
* [[ | * [[Secret Service codename]] | ||
* [[ | * ''[[Steve Jackson Games, Inc. v. United States Secret Service]]'' | ||
* [[Title 31 of the Code of Federal Regulations]] | |||
* [[Confederate Secret Service]] | |||
==References== | |||
{{Reflist}} | |||
==Bibliography== | |||
*{{cite book |last=Hammond |first=John Hays |author-link=John Hays Hammond |year=1935 |title=The Autobiography of John Hays Hammond |url=https://archive.org/details/autobiographyofj0001hamm |url-access=registration |publisher=Farrar & Rinehart |location=New York |isbn=978-0-405-05913-1 }} | |||
*{{cite book |last1=Harris |first1=Charles H. III |last2=Sadler |first2=Louis R. |year=2009 |title=The Secret War in El Paso: Mexican Revolutionary Intrigue, 1906–1920 |publisher=University of New Mexico Press |location=Albuquerque, NM |isbn=978-0-8263-4652-0 }} | |||
==Further reading== | |||
{{external media| float = right| video1 = [https://www.c-span.org/video/?288504-6/in-presidents-secret-service ''Washington Journal'' interview with Ronald Kessler on ''In the President's Secret Service'', August 22, 2009], [[C-SPAN]]| video2 = [https://www.c-span.org/video/?321989-1/the-family-detail Presentation by Kessler on ''The First Family Detail'', October 8, 2014], [[C-SPAN]]}} | |||
* {{Cite book|last= Emmett|first= Dan|date= 2014|title= Within Arm's Length: A Secret Service Agent's Definitive Inside Account of Protecting the President|location= New York|publisher= St. Martin's Press|edition= First|isbn= 9781250044716|url= https://archive.org/details/withinarmslength00emme}} | |||
* {{Cite book|last= Kessler|first= Ronald|title= In the President's Secret Service: Behind the Scenes with Agents in the Line of Fire and the Presidents They Protect|date= 2010|location= New York|publisher= Three Rivers Press|edition= 1st paperback|isbn= 9780307461360|url= https://archive.org/details/inpresidentssecr00rona}} | |||
* {{Cite book|last= Kessler|first= Ronald|title= The First Family Detail: Secret Service Agents Reveal the Hidden Lives of the Presidents|date= 2015|location= New York|publisher= Crown Forum|edition= 1st paperback|isbn=978-0804139618}} | |||
* {{Cite book|last= Roberts|first= Marcia|title= Looking Back and Seeing the Future: The United States Secret Service, 1865–1990|date= 1991|publisher= Association of Former Agents of the United States Secret Service}} | |||
==External links== | |||
{{Commonscatinline}} | |||
* {{official website}} | |||
* {{webarchive |title=United States Secret Service |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000301193602/http://www.treas.gov/usss/index.htm?home.htm&1 |date=March 1, 2000 }} | |||
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4535911.stm "Protecting the U.S. President abroad"], by [[BBC News]] | |||
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20091224134022/http://www.life.com/image/first/in-gallery/37872/inside-the-secret-service "Inside the Secret Service"]—slide show by ''[[Life (magazine)|Life]]'' | |||
{{DHS agencies}} | |||
{{Federal law enforcement agencies of the United States}} | |||
{{authority control}} | |||
[[Category:United States Secret Service| ]] | |||
[[Category:1865 establishments in the United States]] | |||
[[Category:Assassination of William McKinley]] | |||
[[Category:Financial crimes]] | |||
[[Category:Law enforcement agencies of the District of Columbia]] | |||
[[Category:Money forgery]] | |||
[[Category:Protective security units]] | |||
[[Category:United States Department of Homeland Security agencies|United States Secret Service]] | |||