The United States Secret Service is a federal government law enforcement agency originally created as part of the Department of the Treasury. On March 1, 2003, it was moved under the jurisdiction of the Department of Homeland Security.
The Secret Service has primary jurisdiction over counterfeiting of currency and the protection of the President, Vice President, their immediate families, past presidents and their spouses, certain candidates for the offices of President and Vice President, and visiting foreign heads of state (all called "protectees").
History
The Secret Service was established on April 14, 1865 — the same day President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. Initially tasked solely with combating the widespread counterfeiting that plagued the post-Civil War economy (at one point, an estimated one-third of currency in circulation was counterfeit), the agency did not assume protective duties until after the assassination of President William McKinley in 1901.
Duties
- Protective Operations — Protection of current and former presidents, vice presidents, their families, and major candidates
- Investigations — Counterfeiting, financial crimes, identity theft, computer fraud
- Security Events — National Special Security Events such as inaugurations, State of the Union addresses, and major political conventions