A Secret Service Question

[CaliforniaPeggy]

Do they only protect the First Family, or do they also cover the Cabinet?

For instance, SOS Hillary Clinton is in Pakistan.

Does she have coverage?

[AspenRose]

1. Axlerod and Jarrett recently got SS protection

but I think it was because they have received threats

Secretary Clinton probably has it anyway because she's a former First Lady

Biden has SS protection too

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. I figured she would have it as former First Lady...

But in her own right, as SOS...

How about then?

:shrug:

[AllentownJake]

16. The SOS

Is protected by a security force that the state department administers.

http://www.state.gov/m/ds/

[PBS Poll-435]

2. I remember reading a while back that she is covered by two agencies

The Secret Service and the State Department's Diplomatic Security Service. (Because she is a former First Lady and an active State Department official)

I also remember reading that anyone in the Line of Presidential Succession has protection from the Secret Service though not as thorough as the POTUS and VPOTUS.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. Ah, that's interesting!

Thank you!

[jobycom]

5. Anyone they are ordered to protect. They do protect the SoS.

Secret Service Special Agents (foreground) protecting the President of the United States in 2007.The Secret Service has primary jurisdiction over the prevention and investigation of counterfeiting of U.S. currency and U.S. treasury bonds notes. However, this agency is best known for their work protecting the President.

Today, the Secret Service is authorized by law to protect:

The president, the vice president, secretary of state (or other individuals next in order of succession to the Office of the President), the president-elect and vice president-elect.
The immediate families of the above individuals.
Former presidents and their spouses for their lifetimes, except when the spouse remarries. In 1997, Congressional legislation became effective limiting Secret Service protection to former presidents for a period of not more than 10 years from the date the former president leaves office.
Children of former presidents until age 16.
Former Vice Presidents six months after their term ends (the Secretary of Homeland Security can extend the protection time).
Families of former Vice Presidents six months after term ends.
Visiting heads of foreign states or governments and their spouses traveling with them, other distinguished foreign visitors to the United States, and official representatives of the United States performing special missions abroad.
Major presidential and vice presidential candidates, and their spouses within 120 days of a general presidential election.
Other individuals as designated per Executive Order of the President.
National Special Security Events, when designated as such by the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

The Secret Service also investigates a wide variety of financial fraud crimes and identity theft and provides forensics assistance for some local crimes. The United States Secret Service Uniformed Division (UD) assists in the protection of foreign embassies, the United States Naval Observatory and the White House within Washington, D.C. Due to the discretion of this organization, many details about the Secret Service are currently classified.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Secret_Service

[CaliforniaPeggy]

6. My dear jobycom!

Ah, good old Wikipedia! I should have looked there, but then I would have missed this opportunity to talk to all you smart folks!

Thank you...

:hug:

[Lasher]

7. That's a good Wiki article.

I read it a couple of months ago when wondering if the Bush twins would still be entitled to Secret Service protection. Being older than 16 they are not, but they get it anyway because GWB signed an Executive Order 4 days before he left office to give them extended protection. Bill Clinton did the same for Chelsea.

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/03/30/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry4904706.shtml?CMP=OTC-RSSFeed&source=RSS&attr=PoliticalHotsheet_4904706

Edit: Secret Service protection has also been extended for the most evil person on earth.

Cheney's Secret Service protection extended
July 21, 2009

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Protection for former Vice President Dick Cheney has been extended, Secret Service spokesman Ed Donovan confirmed to CNN Tuesday.

Donovan would not say for how long the extension will last. The extension, reportedly requested by Cheney, went through the standard process and was officially authorized by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano July 17, according to DHS spokeswoman Sara Kuban.

The extension was not based on a specific threat against the former vice president, CNN has also learned. Rather, officials believed the move was justified given the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, political debate about the Bush administration's strategies and Cheney's active public schedule, according to a government official with knowledge of the matter.

Ordinarily, former vice presidents only receive Secret Service protection for the first six months after leaving office. DHS told CNN this is the first time a former vice president's security detail has been extended beyond the standard duration.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/07/21/cheneys-secret-service-protection-extended/

[zbdent]

11. a number of years back, it was being discussed to cut the SS coverage of former presidents

to 5 years after they left office ...

the biggest complainer about that? Unelected Gerald Ford ... who was concerned about being left "vulnerable" ... still ...

[Lasher]

13. From the Wiki article:

Protection of former Presidents and First Ladies

In 1965, Congress authorized the Secret Service (Public Law 89-186) to protect a former president and his spouse during their lifetime, unless they decline protection. In 1997, Congress enacted legislation that limits Secret Service protection for former presidents to ten years after leaving office. Under this new law, individuals who were in office before January 1, 1997 will continue to receive Secret Service protection for their lifetime. Individuals entering office after that time will receive protection for ten years after leaving office. Therefore, former President Bill Clinton will be the last president to receive lifetime protection, and former President George W. Bush is the first to receive protection for only ten years (until 2019).

But as we have seen, extension of Secret Service protection has been liberally granted despite specific limits provided by law. I wouldn't be surprised to see George and Laura get the same treatment 10 years from now.

[vaberella]

8. I believe Pelosi gets it too and Bidens too. n/t

[CaliforniaPeggy]

9. I think so too...

Since they are in line for the Presidency if something happens to eliminate everyone ahead of them...

See the Wikipedia article above.

[POAS]

10. Few people probably realize that they also protect our money!

Counterfeit Division

The Secret Service has exclusive jurisdiction for investigations involving the counterfeiting of United States obligations and securities. This authority to investigate counterfeiting is derived from Title 18 of the United States Code, Section 3056. Some of the counterfeited United States obligations and securities commonly dealt with by the Secret Service include U.S. currency and coins; U.S. Treasury checks; Department of Agriculture food coupons and U.S. postage stamps. The Secret Service remains committed to the mission of combating counterfeiting by working closely with state and local law enforcement agencies, as well as foreign law enforcement agencies, to aggressively pursue counterfeiters. To perform at the highest level, the Secret Service constantly reviews the latest reprographic/lithographic technologies to keep a step ahead of the counterfeiters. The Secret Service maintains a working relationship with the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and the Federal Reserve System to ensure the integrity of our currency.

US Treasury

[CaliforniaPeggy]

14. Thanks for the info!

I knew they protected our money, but I hadn't realized it was that extensive...

Fascinating stuff!

:hi:

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

12. They cover all Cabinet members, I believe.

I know the Secretary of Education gets Secret Service.

[Jeneral2885]

15. Separatte

SOS has her own Diplomatic Security Service which also protects certain US Ambassadors. Sec Def also a a security detail.