Secret Service Protection?

slcboston said:

Ok, a quick check didn't yield me the answer to this, so I'll turn here. I know the Secret Service protects the President, his family, and the VP and his family... but who else is eligible for protection? I read somewhere that former Presidents can opt to have protection if they choose, but mainly I was wondering about members of Congress, Supreme Court Justices, and other government figures like them.

Does anyone out there know something about this?

Click to expand...

Best source.
http://www.secretservice.gov/

President, vice-pres, president elect, vice president elect

Immediate families of any & all the above

Kids of former presidents up to age 16

Heads of state from foreign counties, their spouses, other visiting dignitaries, anyone representing the US abroad that needs protection


Major presidential and vice-presidential candidates and spouses, usually within 120 days of an election (Obama has SS protection now; Hilary does as wife of a former president; I'm not sure about Edwards or any of the Republicans)

Anyone that the President deems by executive order

Some so-named national security events (falls under Homeland Security)

Not getting SS does not mean a member of congress looks for private resources. it's verr frequent for other agencies (state and fed, depending on the activity) to be assigned security details for congress. The military bears a regular duty for congressional protection.

Nominees do get SS protection (if they want it). Pres kids beyond 16 do, too--immediate fam.

Certain designated events get SS protection as well.

slcboston said:

Yeah, I did check that, but it's the "Other individuals as designated per Executive Order of the President" bit that has me curious. Obviously I wouldn't think every member of Congress warrants protection (and some might argue none of them do ) but do the "heavy hitters" of Congress get any special protection? Or do they all have to rely on private sources?

Click to expand...

Got it!

"... Additionally, we are responsible for protecting Members of Congress, Officers of the United States Senate, United States House of Representatives, and their families. We serve these individuals throughout the entire United States, its territories and possessions, and throughout the District of Columbia."

http://www.uscapitolpolice.gov/home.php

Lots of federal law enforcement agencies do protection details. Some of the majors include the DSS (Diplomatic Security Service - part of the State Department), DHS, specifically the FPS (Federal Protective Service), the FBI, US Capitol Police, and of course the local police wherever a VIP travels.

What angle are you coming from? Whether or not a Secret Service agent would protect someone, or whether a specific person would get protection from the feds?

slcboston said:

but mainly I was wondering about members of Congress, Supreme Court Justices...

Click to expand...

Supreme Court Justices are protected by the Supreme Court Police. They have uniformed and plainclothes officers.

Congress people are protected by Capitol police. I actually know a little bit about this (two friends are capitol police) if there is anything specific that you need.