The United States Secret Service has the important task of ensuring the safety of the sitting president, the former presidents, and other paramount leaders including Donald Trump. But have you ever wondered about how the individuals who have to ensure the safety of these VIPs are selected? It is a very rigorous and competitive process that is aimed at ensuring that the very best get recruited. Find out how agents of the secret service get recruited, trained, and deployed for the protection of the likes of Trump.
What does it take to become a Secret Service agent?
To become a Secret Service agent, the process is far from simple. First, candidates must meet a series of strict requirements, including U.S. citizenship, a spotless criminal record, and the completion of a degree from an accredited college. However, meeting these criteria is just the beginning. Applicants must also pass a series of background checks, psychological evaluations, and physical fitness tests. The demands are high because the stakes are even higher – agents are responsible for protecting the lives of some of the most important figures in the country.
The journey doesn’t end with these tests, though. Once agents are selected, they undergo rigorous training. According to Cheryl Tyler, a former Secret Service agent who has protected multiple presidents, “The level of training is intense because they need to be ready for any situation.” Tyler, who spoke with Newsweek, mentioned that agents are also trained in specialized skills, such as counter-assault tactics, driving in high-pressure situations, and even handling emergency medical situations. It’s this blend of physical endurance and mental sharpness that sets Secret Service agents apart.
How are agents assigned to protect presidents like Joe Biden?
Once you’re in, you don’t immediately get assigned to a president’s detail. There’s a specific process in place that involves agents bidding for the assignments they want. Tyler explained that agents typically begin in field offices before being offered the opportunity to apply for a protective detail. “There’s no rhyme or reason,” Tyler shared, adding that “people submit applications to bid on positions, whether they want to protect the president, vice president, or former presidents like Donald Trump.”
Agents are assigned to these details for a set duration, and the process is non-political. They don’t get to pick and choose which political figure they want to protect based on personal preference. “We are nonpolitical,” Tyler said. “We stay the length of time we’re supposed to stay on an assignment.” This ensures that each agent’s assignment is fair, professional, and focused on the protection mission, not political leanings.
Challenges of protecting a former president like Trump
Safeguarding ex-presidents is one thing, but when it involves a figure like Donald Trump, who is always in the public eye, active, and traveling about, the challenge is even greater. Tyler remarked that Trump is a “very active person” who is always on the move, and maintains a busy schedule. For this reason, the task of his protective detail is even more challenging than that of most presidents, who may typically have less busy schedules.
Though not in office anymore, Trump has applied for and is receiving protective services from the Secret Service. Unlike other former presidents, Trump has opted not to waiver on his security detail. Given Trump’s active way of life, the demand for personal security services is expected. This adds more strain on the Secret Service such that they are currently facing a shortage in personnel. According to Tyler, “The way society is right now is challenging the personnel demands of the Secret Service,”.
