Secrets Of The Secret Service: The History And ... -

: After the assassination of President William McKinley in 1901, Congress informally requested the Secret Service take over presidential security.

The United States Secret Service (USSS) is often visualized as a phalanx of stone-faced agents in dark suits and earpieces, the final line of defense for the Commander in Chief. Yet, behind this modern image lies a complex legacy that began not with a bullet, but with a bogus bill. Today, the agency stands at a critical juncture, balancing a storied past against an increasingly scrutinized future. The Original Mission: Fighting Fraud, Not Fire Secrets of the Secret Service: The History and ...

Secrets of the Secret Service: The History and Uncertain Future : After the assassination of President William McKinley

: Full-time responsibility was assumed in 1902, starting with just two agents assigned to the White House Detail. Today, the agency stands at a critical juncture,

The agency’s protective mandate was born out of tragedy. For decades, presidents were protected by unofficial watchmen or local police.

: President Abraham Lincoln signed the legislation creating the agency on the very morning of his assassination. Ironically, the man who founded the agency was not its first protectee.