Does Secret Service do investigations?

Yes, the Secret Service investigates crimes, focusing heavily on protecting U.S. financial systems and investigating cybercrimes, counterfeiting, identity theft, and threats against protected officials, complementing their well-known protective duties for leaders and events. They handle a wide range of financial and computer-based offenses, from ATM skimming to large-scale data breaches, investigating criminals who undermine the integrity of U.S. currency and payment systems.

Does the Secret Service investigate crimes?

Today, the Secret Service's mission is two-fold: protection of the president, vice president and others; and investigations into crimes against the financial infrastructure of the United States.

What does a Secret Service investigator do?

Responsibilities include: Conducting complex criminal investigations into financial crimes, including counterfeiting, cyber fraud, and other threats to the financial infrastructure of the United States.

Does the Secret Service investigate threats?

The U.S. Secret Service has a longstanding tradition of conducting threat assessments as part of its mandate to ensure the safety of this nation's highest elected officials.

Does Secret Service have more power than FBI?

Neither the FBI nor the Secret Service has inherently more authority; they possess equivalent federal powers but operate with distinct, specialized missions, with the FBI handling broad federal crimes (national security, corruption, violent crime) and the Secret Service focused on protecting leaders and investigating financial/cybercrimes, though they coordinate closely, especially in joint investigations. The FBI has a larger scope and resources, but the Secret Service has exclusive protection mandates and unique authority for their protectees, with agreements dictating jurisdiction during incidents. 

A Dual Mission of Protection and Investigation

Who gets paid more, FBI or Secret Service?

Both the Secret Service and FBI offer competitive, government-based salaries on the General Schedule (GS) pay scale, with FBI agents often starting at a slightly higher base pay (around $81k+) compared to the Secret Service's entry-level (around $48k-$55k), but both have significant earning potential, reaching over $110k-$130k+ as they advance and receive Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP), bonuses, and locality adjustments, though exact figures vary by grade, step, and location. 

What is the most secretive U.S. agency?

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA /ˌsiː.aɪˈeɪ/) is a civilian foreign intelligence service of the federal government of the United States tasked with advancing national security through collecting and analyzing intelligence from around the world and conducting covert operations.

Which president refused Secret Service?

The only U.S. President to decline Secret Service protection was Richard M. Nixon, who gave up his lifetime protection in 1985, reportedly to save the government money, though he hired private security instead, making him the first and only former president to do so. 

Why do Secret Service wear sunglasses?

Secret Service agents wear sunglasses primarily to shield their eyes from the sun, allowing them to see crowds and potential threats more clearly without glare, and also to conceal where they are looking, adding to their mystique and preventing would-be attackers from reading their intentions. While sunglasses help with sun glare and offer eye protection, they're used situationally and aren't worn constantly, but serve practical observation and psychological functions. 

What is the average salary of Secret Service agents?

How much does a Secret Service Special Agent make in California? As of Nov 10, 2025, the average annual pay for a Secret Service Special Agent in California is $64,782 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $31.15 an hour.

Does the Secret Service go to the bathroom with the president?

Yes, Secret Service agents stay with the President at all times, including in the bathroom, to ensure security, though they try to provide privacy in controlled areas like the White House residence; agents may enter the restroom or stand just outside the door to prevent any threats, with instances of agents even accompanying presidents like Jimmy Carter into the bathroom during a routine, making it clear they are always present.
 

What is the most elite Secret Service unit?

Officially known as 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta, Delta Force is America's most elite counter-terrorism and hostage rescue unit. Their missions are top secret—and always successful.

What disqualifies you from Secret Service?

You are not a U.S. citizen. You were dishonorably discharged from the military. You are currently involved in illegal drug use. You have been judged as mentally incompetent or mentally incapacitated by a mental health professional.

What sunglasses do Secret Service wear?

Secret Service agents wear various sunglasses, often opting for brands like Oakley (Standard Issue line), Wiley X, or Gatorz, focusing on durable, high-impact, ballistic-rated frames (ANSI Z87.1 certified) for protection and clear vision, with models like Oakley's M-Frame or Holbrook often seen, prioritizing subtle styles for blending in while ensuring tactical functionality.
 

Are there always snipers on the White House?

Whilst it's not publicly known how many agents are stationed at the White House, we do know that at all hours, well over a thousand officers are placed there and at key locations around Washington. Groups of armed agents patrol the grounds and a team of snipers keep watch from the roof of the Executive Mansion.

Can the Secret Service make arrests?

Yes, U.S. Secret Service agents are sworn federal law enforcement officers with the authority to make arrests for federal crimes, including offenses against protected individuals, financial crimes (counterfeiting, fraud), and interfering with their protective duties. They can arrest without a warrant for felonies committed in their presence or if they have probable cause, and they can also execute warrants. 

Can the Secret Service have tattoos?

The Secret Service has a strict visible tattoo policy: no tattoos on the head, face, neck, or hands/fingers (below the wrist bone), with the sole exception of a single, ring-like band on one finger. Any markings in these prohibited areas must be medically removed at the applicant's expense before employment, ensuring no visible body art when in uniform or standard attire.
 

What do cat 4 sunglasses mean?

Category 4 sunglasses are the darkest available, filtering 92-97% of visible light (allowing only 3-8% through) for extreme glare, ideal for high-altitude mountaineering, glaciers, or intense sea conditions, but are too dark and illegal for driving or general use. They offer maximum UV protection (UV400) and often feature side shields to block reflected light, protecting eyes in exceptionally bright environments.
 

Do president's kids get Secret Service for life?

Former President George W. Bush and future former presidents will receive Secret Service protection for the rest of their lives. Children of former presidents up to the age of 16 are assured protection under the new law.

What was Jackie Kennedy's code name?

First Lady Jackie Kennedy was known as Lace.

Has a Secret Service agent ever taken a bullet for a president?

Retired Special Agent in Charge (SAIC) Tim McCarthy spoke candidly about taking a bullet for President Ronald Reagan more than four decades ago during the attempted assassination outside the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C.

What was Hillary Clinton's code name?

From left to right: President Bill Clinton, codename "Eagle"; Chelsea Clinton, codename "Energy"; Senator Hillary Clinton, codename "Evergreen"; Vice President Al Gore, codename "Sundance".

Who is higher than CIA?

The Director of National Intelligence (DNI) oversees the CIA as head of the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC), but the ultimate authority above the DNI and CIA is the President of the United States, who sets overall intelligence policy, with input from the National Security Council (NSC), and the CIA Director reports directly to the President for national security intelligence, while also being subordinate to the DNI for IC coordination. 

Why can't the CIA operate on U.S. soil?

The CIA can't operate freely on U.S. soil because it's legally restricted to foreign intelligence, not domestic spying, with the FBI handling internal security to prevent the abuse seen historically (like Operation Chaos), though exceptions exist for foreign threats involving U.S. persons, requiring high-level approval under orders like EO 12333, and recent years have seen debates about potential data collection overreach. 

Who has the best intelligence in the world?

👉 The ranking reveals the world's best intelligence agencies, with 🇺🇸 United States at the top, followed closely by 🇨🇳 China and 🇷🇺 Russia. Their agencies dominate the field due to their technological capabilities, expansive surveillance networks, and high-level espionage operations.