The U.S. Secret Service is faced with an overwhelming task of protecting up to 40 individuals, including current and former presidents, Vice Presidents, and their spouses. The agency is struggling with multiple threats against its protectees, including two failed assassination attempts on former President Donald Trump. Despite calls for increased manpower, former agents warn that hiring and training additional agents could take up to two years. The House is considering additional funding for the Secret Service, but Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized the need for comprehensive reform within the agency.
The Secret Service is authorized to protect current and former presidents, their spouses, the first and second families, certain high-level Cabinet members, and individuals designated by presidential order. The children of former presidents receive protection until they turn 16, and President Biden’s grandchildren, including 30-year-old Naomi Biden, are also protected. Major presidential candidates receive protection within four months of Election Day, and presidents-elect and vice presidents-elect are protected before taking office. Former agents estimate the number of current protectees to be between 30 and 40, with not all of them receiving full-time coverage.
In addition to protecting high-profile U.S. officials, the Secret Service also provides protection to foreign heads of state, their spouses, and other “distinguished” visitors. The list of individuals receiving protection is constantly changing based on various events and special occasions, such as the Republican and Democratic National Conventions. Protecting presidents at their sprawling properties, such as Mar-a-Lago in Florida or Trump Tower in New York, presents significant challenges compared to the more secure location of Camp David in Maryland, which serves as the official “country residence” for U.S. presidents.
Vacation properties owned by presidents, like former President Barack Obama’s vacation home in Hawaii, pose unique security challenges due to their less secure nature compared to locations like Camp David. Former Secret Service agent Bill Gage emphasizes the difficulty in setting up protective operations in vacation homes, noting the extensive protective measures required for such properties. Recent high-profile threats against U.S. officials, including the assassination attempts on former President Trump and other officials, underscore the need for increased preparedness and reforms within the Secret Service to address evolving threats.
The Secret Service has faced internal and external investigations following the two failed assassination attempts on former President Trump. The agency’s director has stepped down, and questions have been raised about its preparedness and handling of security at events like the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a gunman opened fire on the protectee. With additional threats against U.S. officials in recent months, including threats against Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Barack Obama, there is a growing urgency for enhanced security measures and a complete overhaul of the agency. Former agents and lawmakers are calling for increased manpower and legislative reforms to address the challenges faced by the Secret Service in protecting high-profile individuals and preventing future threats.
