Agency Profile Series: USSS

The U.S. Secret Service (USSS) is one of the most recognized federal law enforcement agencies in the United States, best known for its dual mission of protection and investigations. While its protective role often takes center stage—safeguarding the President, Vice President, and visiting dignitaries—its origins and continuing responsibilities in financial crimes remain equally vital to national security.

The Secret Service was founded in 1865, originally under the Department of the Treasury, with the primary mission of suppressing widespread counterfeiting of U.S. currency following the Civil War. At the time, nearly one-third of U.S. money in circulation was counterfeit, posing a major threat to economic stability.

Over time, the agency’s responsibilities grew. Following the assassination of President William McKinley in 1901, the Secret Service was formally tasked with protecting U.S. presidents. Since then, its mission has expanded to cover the Vice President, major presidential and vice-presidential candidates, visiting heads of state, and National Special Security Events (NSSEs) such as inaugurations.

In 2003, the Secret Service was transferred to the newly created Department of Homeland Security (DHS), while still maintaining close ties with the Treasury Department for financial crime investigations.

Today, USSS operates under a dual mission:

1. Protection

   • President, Vice President, their immediate families

   • Visiting foreign heads of state and government

   • Major presidential and vice-presidential candidates

   • National Special Security Events (e.g., inaugurations, conventions, international summits)

2. Investigations

   • Counterfeiting of U.S. currency

   • Financial fraud, including bank fraud, wire fraud, and credit card fraud

   • Cyber-enabled crimes against the U.S. financial system

   • Threats to the nation’s critical infrastructure, particularly in financial services and telecommunications

This dual role sets the Secret Service apart from nearly every other federal law enforcement agency.

• Domestic: The Secret Service maintains field offices in nearly every major U.S. city, along with over 100 resident offices nationwide. These offices are strategically located to conduct both investigative and protective missions.

• International: The USSS has more than 20 international offices, located within U.S. embassies and consulates, to combat global counterfeiting and financial crimes, and to coordinate protective missions abroad.

The Secret Service employs approximately 3,200 special agents, supported by 1,300 Uniformed Division officers and around 2,000 technical and administrative staff. The Uniformed Division provides visible protection at the White House, Vice President’s residence, and foreign diplomatic missions in Washington, D.C. Special agents, meanwhile, rotate between both investigative and protective assignments throughout their careers, a hallmark of the agency’s operational model.

Since its founding in 1865, the U.S. Secret Service has evolved from a small Treasury bureau combating counterfeit currency into a globally recognized law enforcement agency. With a dual mission of protection and investigations, thousands of agents, officers, and staff operate domestically and internationally to secure the highest offices of government and protect the integrity of the nation’s financial system. The agency’s unique blend of protective and investigative expertise makes it indispensable to the security and stability of the United States.