U.S. Secret Service

• The U.S. Secret Service is a prestigious federal law enforcement agency operating under the Department of Homeland Security.
• Founded in 1865, its initial mission was to combat the counterfeiting of U.S. currency, a threat that jeopardized the nation’s economic stability.
• However, following the tragic assassination of President William McKinley in 1901, the agency’s role expanded to include the protection of the President, a responsibility that has since become its hallmark.
• The US Secret Service is part of the Department of Homeland Security, not the Department of Defense.

The Protective Mission of U.S. Secret Service

• The Secret Service is entrusted with the critical task of protecting the President, Vice President, President-elect, Vice President-elect, and their immediate families.
• This elite agency also provides security for former Presidents and their spouses, as well as major presidential and vice presidential candidates in the final 120 days leading up to a general election.
• The Secret Service is responsible for ensuring the physical security of the White House, the Vice President’s residence, and foreign diplomatic missions in Washington D.C.
• Additionally, it plays a vital role in securing high-profile events designated as National Special Security Events, including the State of the Union address and presidential inaugurations.

Functioning and Powers

• The US Secret Service boasts two specialized teams that work in tandem to ensure the safety of the nation’s leaders.
  • Counter-Sniper Team – Equipped with long-range binoculars and precision sniper rifles, this team scans the horizon for potential threats. Their expertise in surveillance and marksmanship provides a vital layer of protection.
  • Counter-Assault Team – This team is trained to neutralize threats with swift and decisive action. Their mission is to create a secure perimeter, allowing other agents to safely evacuate the protected individual.
• Pre-Event Protocol
  • Before large-scale events like campaign rallies, Secret Service agents conduct thorough sweeps of the venue, searching for potential bombs or security breaches.
  • They are supported by the Military’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams and advanced communication resources.
• Empowered to Protect
  • Secret Service agents have the authority to carry firearms and make arrests without warrants if they have reasonable grounds to believe a crime has been committed.
    • This empowerment enables them to respond swiftly and decisively in high-pressure situations.
  • These elite teams and tactics demonstrate the Secret Service’s unwavering commitment to protecting the nation’s leaders and ensuring the safety of the American people.

SPG (Special Protection Group) vs. U.S. Secret Service: What’s the Difference?

• While both agencies are dedicated to protecting high-profile individuals, the key difference lies in their scope and jurisdiction.
• Origins and Mandate:
  • The SPG was formed in 1988 with a singular focus: to provide proximate security to the Prime Minister of India.
  • In contrast, the USSS was established in 1865 to combat currency counterfeiting, later expanding its role to protect the President and other high-profile individuals.
• Scope of Protection:
  • The SPG’s mandate is limited to providing security to the serving Prime Minister and their immediate family.
  • In contrast, the USSS has a broader scope, protecting the President, Vice President, their families, presidential and vice-presidential candidates, and former Presidents and their spouses for life.
• Tenure and Resignation:
  • SPG personnel are assigned for a fixed six-year tenure and are not allowed to resign during their deputation.
  • USSS agents, on the other hand, can resign freely and are typically assigned to protective details for three to five years before being transferred.
• International Coordination:
  • When the Indian Prime Minister visits the United States, the SPG takes a backseat, and the USSS assumes primary security responsibilities.
  • The USSS also coordinates with foreign agencies to protect visiting heads of state, including the Indian Prime Minister.
• Operational Differences:
  • The SPG boasts an unblemished record, while the USSS has experienced a tragic loss, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
  • Additionally, SPG personnel are drawn from various paramilitary forces, whereas the USSS has its own dedicated agents.

Latest News

• 16 July 2024:
  • During a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, an apparent assassination attempt was made on Donald Trump.
  • The suspected gunman, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, fired up to eight shots from an AR-15-style rifle before being neutralized by a Secret Service sharpshooter.