The agency’s role shifted dramatically following the 1901 assassination of President William McKinley, the third sitting president to be killed in office. In response, Congress requested that the Secret Service assume of the President beginning in 1902. Over the years, this protective umbrella expanded to include: The Vice President and their immediate families.
Former Presidents and their spouses (for life, though they can decline it). Major Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates. Visiting heads of foreign states and governments. Secret Service
Ironically, the agency now synonymous with presidential protection was not created for that purpose. Founded in , the Secret Service was established as a division of the Department of the Treasury. Its primary mandate was to suppress the rampant counterfeiting that emerged during the Civil War, when nearly one-third of all U.S. currency in circulation was estimated to be fraudulent. For decades, the agency focused almost exclusively on financial crimes, investigating credit card fraud and electronic funds transfer fraud as technology advanced. 2. The Shift to Protection: A Reaction to Tragedy The agency’s role shifted dramatically following the 1901
The (USSS) is often envisioned as an elite group of stoic figures in dark suits and sunglasses, ready to move at a moment’s notice to protect the President. However, the agency’s identity is far more complex than its public image suggests. Originally established to combat a counterfeiting crisis in the mid-19th century, it has evolved into a dual-mission powerhouse responsible for both the integrity of the American financial system and the physical safety of its most critical leaders. 1. Historical Foundations: Combatting Financial Sabotage Former Presidents and their spouses (for life, though
Ensuring the safety of leaders through multi-layered security protocols, including advance teams that coordinate with local law enforcement and military units.
Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the Secret Service was moved from the Treasury Department to the newly formed in 2003. This move underscored the agency's role in national security. Today, the USSS operates with a "dual mission":
Safeguarding the nation's financial infrastructure from cybercrimes, money laundering, and modern counterfeiting. 4. Challenges and Core Values Job Openings - Secret Service