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Source- This post on “US Secret Service- Role and Mandate ” is based on the article ” Donald Trump shot: What is the US Secret Service, tasked with protecting US Presidents, current and former” published in the ” The Indian Express” on “15th July 2024”.
Why in the News?
With the recent assassination attempt on Donald Trump, calls have been made for the US Secret Service and other security agencies to explain the major security breach.
About the US Secret Service
| About | Details |
| Founded | The United States Secret Service was founded in 1865. It is one of the oldest federal investigative law enforcement agencies. |
| Initial Mandate | Its initial mandate was to combat the counterfeiting of US currency. |
| Change of Mandate | After the assassination of then-US President William McKinley in 1901, the Secret Service assumed full-time responsibility for the safety of the President. The US Secret Service assumed full time responsibility in 1902. |
| Structure and Department | US Secret Service comes under the Department of Homeland Security. It employs approximately 3,200 special agents, 1,300 Uniformed Division officers, and more than 2,000 technical, professional and administrative support personnel. |
| Other Protection Mandate | The US secret Service is mandated to protect the following- a. Vice president, the president-elect, their immediate families b. Former presidents and their spouses (except when the spouse remarries) and children of former presidents until age 16 c. Major presidential and vice presidential candidates and their spouses within 120 days of a general presidential election. (Eligible candidates are identified by the Secretary of Homeland Security after consultation with an advisory committee) |
| Functioning and Powers | a. It consists of two teams- The Counter sniper team and the counter assault team. The counter-sniper team uses long-range binoculars and has sniper rifles, while the counter-assault team works to eliminate threats so that other agents can shield and take away the person they are protecting. b. Before large-scale events like campaign rallies, US secret service agents scan the venue for bombs or other threats. The US Secret service is supported in this task by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams and communications resources of the Military. c. Secret Service has the permission to carry firearms and to make arrests without warrants for any offence or felony under ‘reasonable grounds’. |
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