When Was The Us Secret Service Established

The United States Secret Service (USSS) has a rich and fascinating history that dates back to the late 19th century. While many people associate the Secret Service with protecting the President and his family, the agency's origins are rooted in a different mission.

The USSS was established on July 5, 1865, as a branch of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. At that time, the agency's primary responsibility was to combat counterfeiting, which had become a significant problem during the Civil War. With the war effort draining the nation's resources, counterfeiters saw an opportunity to flood the market with fake currency, further destabilizing the economy.

In response to this growing threat, Congress passed a law creating the Secret Service Division within the Department of the Treasury. The new agency was tasked with investigating and preventing counterfeiting, as well as other financial crimes.

For many years, the Secret Service focused primarily on combating counterfeiting and other financial crimes. However, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the agency began to take on additional responsibilities, including investigating and preventing other types of crimes, such as land fraud and smuggling.

Protecting the President: A New Role for the Secret Service

It wasn't until the early 20th century that the Secret Service began to take on its most iconic role: protecting the President and his family.

Prior to 1902, the President's security was handled by the U.S. Marshals Service and the White House police. However, after President William McKinley's assassination in 1901, Congress recognized the need for a more formal and professional security detail.

In 1902, Congress informally authorized the Secret Service to provide protection for the President and his family. However, it wasn't until 1913, after the assassination of President William Howard Taft's Secretary of State, that Congress formally mandated the Secret Service to provide full-time protection for the President and his family.

Today, the Secret Service is responsible for protecting the President, the Vice President, and their families, as well as visiting heads of state and other high-ranking government officials. The agency also continues to investigate and prevent financial crimes, including counterfeiting, money laundering, and identity theft.

Evolution of the Secret Service

Over the years, the Secret Service has evolved to meet the changing needs of the country. In the 1960s, the agency began to provide protection for major presidential and vice-presidential candidates, as well as their spouses.

In the 1970s, the Secret Service expanded its mandate to include protecting foreign diplomatic missions in the United States. The agency also began to provide security for National Special Security Events (NSSEs), such as presidential inaugurations and international summits.

In the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, the Secret Service's role in homeland security was expanded to include investigating and preventing terrorist threats. The agency also began to work more closely with other law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security.

Today, the Secret Service is a highly trained and specialized law enforcement agency with a broad range of responsibilities. From protecting the President and his family to investigating financial crimes and preventing terrorist threats, the Secret Service plays a critical role in keeping the country safe.

Key Milestones in Secret Service History

1865: The Secret Service is established as a branch of the U.S. Department of the Treasury to combat counterfeiting.
1902: Congress informally authorizes the Secret Service to provide protection for the President and his family.
1913: Congress formally mandates the Secret Service to provide full-time protection for the President and his family.
1960s: The Secret Service begins to provide protection for major presidential and vice-presidential candidates and their spouses.
1970s: The Secret Service expands its mandate to include protecting foreign diplomatic missions in the United States and providing security for National Special Security Events.
2001: The Secret Service's role in homeland security is expanded to include investigating and preventing terrorist threats.

Secret Service Facts and Figures

The Secret Service has approximately 7,000 employees, including special agents, uniformed division officers, and administrative personnel.
The agency has a budget of over $2 billion annually.
The Secret Service investigates over 4,000 cases of financial crimes each year.
The agency has a 99.9% conviction rate for cases it investigates.

We hope this article has provided you with a deeper understanding of the history and role of the United States Secret Service. From its humble beginnings as a counterfeiting task force to its current status as a premier law enforcement agency, the Secret Service has a rich and fascinating history that continues to evolve to this day.

We invite you to share your thoughts and questions about the Secret Service in the comments section below. Do you have a favorite Secret Service-related story or memory? Share it with us!

What is the primary responsibility of the United States Secret Service?

The primary responsibility of the United States Secret Service is to protect the President, the Vice President, and their families, as well as visiting heads of state and other high-ranking government officials.

When was the Secret Service established?

The Secret Service was established on July 5, 1865, as a branch of the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

What is the Secret Service's role in homeland security?

The Secret Service plays a critical role in homeland security by investigating and preventing terrorist threats, as well as providing security for National Special Security Events.