From currency to presidents: How the US Secret Service protects the nation

The United States Secret Service (USSS) has once again been thrust into the spotlight following an attempted assassination of the former president and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Sunday. The latest incident occurred at Trump’s golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida, where the 2024 Republican presidential candidate was present.

Secret Service agents quickly responded, firing at the suspect, 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh, who attempted to flee but was arrested. While Routh's motive remains unclear, this marks the second attempt on Trump’s life in just nine weeks -- following an earlier incident in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a bullet grazed Trump's ear during a rally.

This string of assassination attempts underscores the vital role of the Secret Service, tasked with safeguarding US leaders and top-ranking officials from threats. The agency’s mission goes beyond just protecting important people, as its responsibilities have increased over its long history.

ORIGINS

The United States Secret Service (USSS) was established in 1865, originally under the Department of the Treasury, with the primary objective of combating rampant counterfeiting of US currency in the aftermath of the Civil War. During this period, it was estimated that nearly one-third of the US currency in circulation was counterfeit, which threatened the stability of the nation’s economy.

SHIFT TO PRESIDENTIAL PROTECTION

The agency’s role dramatically shifted in 1901 after the assassination of President William McKinley.

In response to this tragedy, the USSS was charged with protecting the president, a responsibility that was solidified by Congress in 1906 through the Sundry Civil Expenses Act.

In 1913, this mandate was extended to include permanent protection for the president and president-elect, establishing the Secret Service as the primary protector of the nation's highest office.

EXPANDING MANDATES

The Secret Service’s duties expanded over the decades. In 1915, President Woodrow Wilson tasked the agency with investigating foreign espionage in the US. During the mid-20th century, the Secret Service faced several high-profile assassination attempts, including the 1950 plot to kill President Harry Truman and attempts on the lives of Presidents Gerald Ford in 1975 and Ronald Reagan in 1981.

The 1960s saw the USSS’s protection mandate broadened to include the vice president, as well as major presidential candidates.

In the 1970s, the Secret Service broke gender barriers by swearing in its first female special agents in 1971— Laurie Anderson, Sue Baker, Kathryn Clark, Holly Hufschmidt, and Phyllis Shantz.

The agency also began responding to emerging threats in the financial sector, investigating credit card and computer fraud starting in 1984.

INTEGRATION INTO THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Following the 9/11 attacks, the USSS became part of the newly formed Department of Homeland Security in 2003.

This transition highlighted its role in national security. Around this time, the agency also launched Electronic Crimes Task Forces to address the rise of high-tech crimes, including cyberattacks on financial institutions.

In 2012, the Former Presidents Protection Act was passed, guaranteeing lifetime protection for former US presidents and their families. This measure acknowledged the enduring threats faced by these public figures long after their time in office.

In 2013, the USSS made history by appointing Julia Pierson as its first female Director, a significant milestone in the agency’s evolution. The most recent leader, James M Murray, took over in 2019, bringing with him years of experience in both protection and investigation.

Today, the Secret Service carries out a dual mission -- protecting national and foreign leaders and investigating financial crimes like counterfeiting, cyber fraud, and identity theft. Its ability to evolve and respond to emerging threats, while protecting the highest offices in the US, continues to make the agency indispensable to national security.

The recent attempts on Donald Trump's life serve as stark reminders of the crucial role the USSS plays in safeguarding the country.