Encore: Presidential Assassinations | Protecting POTUS (NEW) | 1
In this episode of American History Tellers, Carol Leonnig explores the evolution of the Secret Service, from its origins as a unit combating counterfeiting to its current role as the president's protectors. She details how major incidents like the Kennedy assassination prompted sweeping reforms, while recent scandals exposed vulnerabilities that persist today.
Despite measures like increased training and diversity initiatives, Leonnig reveals that the agency continues to face significant challenges. Resource constraints, staffing issues, and a damaged public image remain obstacles in fulfilling the Service's critical mission. The episode sheds light on the complexities surrounding presidential security and examines the steps—and missteps—taken by this storied agency.
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The Secret Service's Origins and Early Mission
Carol Leonnig explains that the Secret Service, now synonymous with presidential protection, was originally created in 1865 to combat widespread counterfeiting of U.S. currency. Despite facing multiple presidential assassinations, the agency only gradually took on the responsibility of protecting the president over time, as the philosophy around security evolved.
The Transition to Presidential Protection and the Agency's Response to Assassinations
The assassination of President Kennedy was a watershed moment that led to major reforms within the Secret Service. Director James Rowley doubled the president's protection detail, developed intelligence analysis capabilities, and instituted rigorous training after the agency faced criticism for failing to prevent Kennedy's death.
While agents like Jerry Parr showcased the agency's improvements during the 1981 Reagan assassination attempt, Leonnig notes that security gaps like insufficient cover and vetting also remained evident.
Key Incidents and the Secret Service's Reforms and Improvements Over Time
The 2014 White House fence jumper incident and the 2012 Cartagena scandal involving agents soliciting prostitutes exposed vulnerabilities and a concerning "boys' club" culture within the Secret Service.
While efforts like increasing diversity were made to address issues like discrimination revealed by a 1990s lawsuit, Leonnig suggests progress has been uneven due to lack of resources and resistance to change.
Current Challenges and Controversies Facing the Agency
According to Leonnig, the Secret Service faces existential challenges due to strained resources and staffing issues, struggling to adequately cover protectees and events. A recent security breach at a Trump rally highlighted these operational constraints.
Restoring public trust also remains an obstacle, as the agency's credibility has been significantly damaged by past scandals and failures. Leonnig cites the controversial handling of the 2020 Trump security breach by Director Cheadle as an example of persisting internal conflicts over acknowledging problems.
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Actionables
- You can enhance your personal security awareness by conducting regular self-assessments of your daily routines and identifying potential vulnerabilities, such as predictable patterns or unsecured personal information that could be exploited.
- By evaluating your own habits, you can make adjustments to improve safety, like varying your travel routes, securing social media accounts, and ensuring your home has adequate security measures.
- Develop a culture of accountability within your family or peer group by openly discussing and addressing behaviors that may lead to unsafe situations or discrimination.
- This could involve setting up regular meetings to talk about personal safety, respect for diversity, and how to support each other in making positive changes, thereby fostering an environment where everyone feels responsible for the group's well-being.
- You can build trust within your community by volunteering for neighborhood watch programs or local safety initiatives, which can help address the collective security concerns and promote a sense of shared responsibility.
- Participating in these programs not only increases the safety of your neighborhood but also allows you to form connections with your neighbors, creating a network of individuals who look out for one another and communicate effectively about potential threats or issues.
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The Secret Service's Origins and Early Mission
The Secret Service, now synonymous with presidential protection, was originally conceived for a very different purpose.
The Secret Service was originally created to combat counterfeiting, not to protect the president.
The Secret Service was established on the very same day President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated, April 14, 1865. However, the agency's initial mission was not to protect the president but to address the rampant problem of counterfeit currency. At that time, Lincoln and his secretary of the treasury were deeply concerned about the volume of counterfeit notes, with a staggering estimation that two-thirds of the currency in circulation were forgeries created by extensive counterfeit gangs.
Over time, the Secret Service gradually took on the responsibility of protecting the president.
Despite facing multiple presidential assassinations, the notion of a formal security detail for the president was long resisted by the White House. The resistance stemmed from a belief that heavy security was incompatible with the important democratic ideal of maintaining a president's accessibility. The idea of a ...
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The Secret Service's Origins and Early Mission
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Clarifications
- President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated on April 14, 1865.
- The resistance from the White House towards a formal security detail for the president stemmed from concerns about maintaining the president's accessibility and the democratic ideal of openness in government. This resistance was rooted in a belief that heavy security measures could hinder the president's ability to interact freely with the public. The White House initially viewed the idea of a dedicated security team as conflicting with the principles of approachability and transparency in governance.
- The resistance towards a dedicated security team for the president stemmed from concerns about maintaining the president's accessibility and the democratic ideal of approachability in government. There was a belief that heavy security measures could hinder the president's ability to interact freely with the public. This resistance was rooted in the values of openness and transparency in governance. The gradual acceptance of a formal security detail for the president came about in response to evolving security threats and the need to safeguard the nation's highest office.
- The Secret Service's transition to protecting the president was a gradual evolution that began with its primary focus on comb ...
Counterarguments
- The assertion that two-thirds of the currency in circulation was counterfeit may be an overestimation or simplification, as historical estimates vary and the actual figure might have been lower.
- The idea that the White House long resisted a formal security detail could be nuanced by acknowledging that there were indeed some forms of protection in place, even if not formalized, before the Secret Service took on the role.
- The gradual shift in the Secret Service's responsibilities could be seen not just as a reflection of changing security philosophies, but also as a response to the practical realities and failures of existing protective measures.
- The statement that the Secret Service was officially tasked with protecting the president after McKinley's assassina ...
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The Transition to Presidential Protection and the Agency's Response to Assassinations
In the wake of tragic events, the Secret Service faced scrutiny and ultimately underwent substantial changes to enhance the protection of U.S. presidents.
The assassination of President Kennedy was a watershed moment that led to major reforms and improvements within the Secret Service.
In 1964, Secret Service director James Rowley sat before the Warren Commission, seeking help and defending the Secret Service against criticisms that his agents had failed to protect President Kennedy. Described by Carol Leonnig as a traumatic event for the agency, the assassination led to deep pain among the agents, some of whom turned to alcohol and even suicide. Despite previously pleading for more resources and being turned down, Rowley had to argue that the assassination was not due to his agents' fault but due to inevitable deficiencies caused by poor resources and shrinking budgets. Concerns were raised about agents' preparedness, and fitness for duty, particularly regarding some agents who had been drinking the night before Kennedy's death.
The Secret Service was widely criticized for failing to prevent Kennedy's death, with questions raised about the agents' preparedness and fitness for duty.
Leonnig recounts that there were tragic mistakes on the day of Kennedy’s assassination, such as the lack of methods for assessing the likelihood of an attack from a high-rise building. The Secret Service faced questions about whether the agents' late-night drinking had affected their alertness during the assassination.
In response, Secret Service director James Rowley worked to rebuild and professionalize the agency, doubling the size of the president's protection detail, developing new intelligence analysis capabilities, and instituting more rigorous training.
After Kennedy's death, Secret Service underwent significant rebuilding with the aid of lawmakers. Hundreds of new agents were hired, a modern computer system was developed for gathering and assessing threat intelligence, and new training routines including an "Attack on the Principal" program were established.
The attempted assassination of President Reagan in 1981 demonstrated the Secret Service's progress, but also highlighted lingering vulnerabilities.
Attempts to assassinate Presidents Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan indicated the improvements in the Secret Service, yet also showed remaining security gaps.
Quick thinking and expert execution ...
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The Transition to Presidential Protection and the Agency's Response to Assassinations
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Clarifications
- The Secret Service faced criticism post-Kennedy's assassination for alleged failures in protecting the president. Specific concerns included agents' preparedness, fitness for duty, and the lack of methods to assess attack risks. Questions were raised about the impact of late-night drinking on agent alertness during critical moments. Director James Rowley worked to address these criticisms by enhancing the agency's capabilities and training programs.
- The challenges and deficiencies faced by the Secret Service agents on the day of Kennedy's assassination included a lack of methods for assessing the likelihood of an attack from a high-rise building, concerns about agents' preparedness due to late-night drinking, and questions about their alertness during the assassination. These factors contributed to tragic mistakes and raised doubts about the agents' ability to effectively protect the President.
- After the Kennedy assassination, Secret Service director James Rowley focused on rebuilding and professionalizing the agency. He increased the size of the president's protection detail, enhanced intelligence analysis capabilities, and implemented more rigorous training programs. Rowley worked with lawmakers to hire hundreds of new agents, develop a modern threat intelligence system, and establish new training protocols like the "Attack on the Principal" program. His efforts aimed to address deficiencies and strengthen the Secret Service's ability to protect the President.
- The attempted assassination of President Reagan in 1981 highlighted security gaps such as the lack of sufficient cover for the President and the failure to fully vet and anticipate threats. John Hinckley Jr., the assailant, was able to get close to Reagan without being properly screened by the Secret Service. Additionally, there were no measures in place to obstruct Hinckley's line of sight to Reagan, allowing him to carry out th ...
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Key Incidents and the Secret Service's Reforms and Improvements Over Time
The Secret Service has grappled with security breaches and internal scandals necessitating a series of reforms and improvements in their protocols and culture.
The Secret Service has faced numerous security breaches and scandals that have prompted reforms and changes.
High-profile incidents have laid bare the Secret Service's vulnerabilities and have acted as catalysts for change within the agency.
In 2014, a fence jumper was able to make it all the way into the White House, exposing failures in the agency's security protocols and alarm systems.
A significant breach occurred when a disabled Iraq veteran with psychological issues jumped the White House fence. While President Obama and his daughters had just left for Camp David, the intruder made it onto the property, passing by 100 different personnel, before eventually entering the mansion. An alarm that should have been tripped remained silent, a canine unit was not released due to operational distractions, and officers expected the unsubdued canine unit to engage, causing delays. The usual security measures were also compromised when an officer failed to lock the doors in time due to alarms being turned down at the White House staff's request.
The Cartagena scandal in 2012, where Secret Service agents were caught partying with prostitutes, highlighted a concerning culture of misconduct within the agency.
The Cartagena scandal of 2012 brought to light a “boys' club” culture within the Secret Service when agents in Colombia were sent home for engaging in drunken partying and hiring prostitutes just before President Obama’s arrival. Carol Leonnig's investigation into the incident revealed an uncomfortable truth: a subset of the Secret Service has often protected its own image by covering up misconduct and security failures instead of concretely addressing these issues. Furthermore, these foreign trips are sometimes seen by agents as opportunities to indulge in misconduct. This scandal and others have shown that there has long been a need for cultural change within the agency.
The Secret Service has made efforts to address these issues, but progress has been uneven.
Despite numerous recommendations and review panels, the road to reform has been bumpy and fraught with resistance.
Recommendations from review panels and investigative report ...
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Key Incidents and the Secret Service's Reforms and Improvements Over Time
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Counterarguments
- The Secret Service's security breaches may also highlight the evolving and unpredictable nature of security threats, rather than just failures in protocols.
- The 2014 fence jumper incident could be seen as a testament to the need for continuous improvement in security measures, which are never completely foolproof.
- The Cartagena scandal, while serious, might not be representative of the entire culture within the Secret Service but rather the actions of a few individuals.
- The challenges in implementing recommendations and diversifying the agency could be indicative of the complex bureaucratic and institutional barriers that exist in any large organization.
- Not fully implementing recommendations from ...
Actionables
- You can enhance your personal security by conducting a self-audit of your home's vulnerabilities, similar to how agencies review protocols after breaches. Start by examining all potential entry points, such as doors and windows, and assess how you might improve their security. For example, you might install better locks, add motion-sensor lights, or set up a camera system that alerts your phone when there's activity.
- Address your own biases and promote diversity in your daily interactions by actively seeking out and engaging with perspectives different from your own. This could involve joining a community book club that focuses on authors from diverse backgrounds, participating in cultural exchange meetups, or simply starting conversations with colleagues from different departments or backgrounds to understand their experiences.
- Improve accountability in your personal projects or ...
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Current Challenges and Controversies Facing the Agency
The Secret Service is currently facing significant challenges in resource allocation, with a recent security breach at a Trump rally bringing intense scrutiny to the agency’s operational effectiveness and leadership.
The Secret Service continues to grapple with resource constraints and staffing challenges that strain its capabilities
Carol Leonnig reports that the Secret Service is dealing with existential challenges in its ability to provide protection. She highlights the incident where a shooter was able to fire eight rounds at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, while being dangerously close to the former president. This breach occurred despite the existence of tactical teams such as counter-snipers and counter-assault agents, indicating a severe strain due to reduced numbers through retirement and attrition.
The agency is stretched thin, with too few agents to adequately cover the growing number of protectees and campaign events
The agency faces limitations on the number of people in core units responsible for high-stakes protection, making it difficult to secure candidates on the road efficiently during busy campaign seasons. There is a lack of sufficient counter-assault teams to cover concurrent events or protect multiple individuals when required.
Restoring public trust and confidence in the Secret Service remains an ongoing challenge
The history of scandals, embarrassments, and high-profile security failures, coupled with a reluctance to openly acknowledge and address problems within the agency, has significantly eroded its credibility.
Leonnig reveals that sources within and retirees from the Secret Service were irate over Director Cheadle's response to the failed assassination attempt on Trump ...
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Current Challenges and Controversies Facing the Agency
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Counterarguments
- The Secret Service's resource constraints may be reflective of broader federal budgeting challenges, not necessarily mismanagement within the agency.
- Intense scrutiny following security breaches can sometimes overshadow the numerous successful operations and protective details that the Secret Service executes without incident.
- The agency's staffing challenges could be symptomatic of a competitive job market and the high demands placed on agents, rather than solely internal agency issues.
- Public trust and confidence may fluctuate with high-profile incidents but does not necessarily reflect the overall effectiveness and dedication of the Secret Service.
- The history of scandals and embarrassments, while significant, may not be indicative of the current culture or operational protocols within the agency.
- A lack of transparency can sometimes be attributed to the need for operational security and the prot ...
Actionables
- You can enhance your personal accountability by conducting a self-audit to identify areas where you might be overextended or not following through on commitments. Start by listing all your current responsibilities and rate your performance in each area. This mirrors the Secret Service's need to assess their resource allocation and can help you reallocate your time and energy more effectively.
- Improve transparency in your personal relationships by creating a 'feedback log' where friends, family, or colleagues can anonymously share their observations or concerns about your actions. This strategy is inspired by the Secret Service's challenge with transparency and can help you address issues you might not be aware of, leading to improved trust and communication.
- Develop a personal impro ...
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