: 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.
: By the end of the Civil War, nearly one-third to one-half of all U.S. currency in circulation was counterfeit. Secrets of the Secret Service: The History and ...
Secrets of the Secret Service: The History and Uncertain Future : President Abraham Lincoln signed the legislation creating
The agency’s protective mandate was born out of tragedy. For decades, presidents were protected by unofficial watchmen or local police. currency in circulation was counterfeit
: Originally a bureau within the Department of the Treasury , agents focused on raiding counterfeit coin operations and investigating financial fraud. The Shift to Protection
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