How Many Secret Service Do Former Presidents Get?

The Secret Service is a federal law enforcement agency that is responsible for providing protection to current and former US presidents, their families, and visiting foreign dignitaries. This elite law enforcement agency was founded in 1865, and since then, it has been providing security services to some of the most important people in the world.

Once a US president leaves office, they are no longer protected by the Secret Service around the clock. However, they are entitled to receive protection from this elite agency for a certain period of time after they leave office. The amount of protection and period of time depend on various factors. In this article, we will discuss how many Secret Service agents former presidents get and the FAQs related to their protection.

How Many Secret Service Agents Do Former Presidents Get?

After leaving office, a former US president is entitled to receive protection from the Secret Service. According to the law, a former president and their spouse are entitled to receive Secret Service protection for their entire life. The law was amended in 1994, which extended the protection period for former presidents and their spouses from ten years to life.

The Secret Service provides protection to former presidents to ensure their safety and security. The number of agents assigned to protect a former president and their family depends on various factors. These factors include the level of threat, the location of the former president, the former president’s public life, and any upcoming public events.

Generally, a former president gets around six Secret Service agents to provide protection. However, the number of agents can vary based on the circumstance. For example, when former President Barack Obama was in office, he requested additional agents to protect his teenage daughters, who were living in the White House. Therefore, the Secret Service provided additional agents to ensure the security of the Obama family.

How Long Do Former Presidents Get Secret Service Protection?

As mentioned earlier, former US presidents and their spouses are entitled to receive Secret Service protection for their entire life. The law was amended in 1994 to extend the protection period from ten years to life. This means that once a president leaves office, they are entitled to receive Secret Service protection until they die.

A former president can also request to waive their Secret Service protection. However, this is a rare occurrence, and most former presidents continue to receive protection throughout their lifetime.

FAQs About Secret Service Protection for Former Presidents

1. Can former vice presidents get Secret Service protection?

Yes, former vice presidents are also entitled to receive Secret Service protection for six months after they leave office. However, they are not entitled to lifetime protection like former presidents.

2. Can former presidents decline Secret Service protection?

Yes, former presidents can decline Secret Service protection. However, it is rare for a former president to decline protection as the Secret Service provides essential security services to ensure their safety.

3. How much does Secret Service protection cost?

The cost of Secret Service protection for former presidents is borne by taxpayers. The total cost of providing protection to former presidents is not publicly disclosed. However, it is estimated to be in millions of dollars per year.

4. Can the Secret Service protect family members of former presidents?

Yes, the Secret Service can protect family members of former presidents if they are deemed to be at risk. However, the number of agents assigned to protect family members can vary depending on the level of threat.

5. Can former presidents choose their Secret Service agents?

No, former presidents do not have the authority to choose their Secret Service agents. The Secret Service has strict protocols and procedures for assigning agents to protect former presidents and their families.

Conclusion

In conclusion, former US presidents are entitled to receive Secret Service protection for their entire life. The number of agents assigned to protect a former president and their family depends on various factors, including the level of threat and any upcoming public events. The Secret Service provides essential security services to ensure the safety and security of former presidents and their families. The FAQs section provided above addresses some of the common queries related to Secret Service protection for former presidents.