Quick Hit:

President Trump on Wednesday issued a proclamation honoring the 160th anniversary of the United States Secret Service, praising agents’ “split-second courage” and recalling moments they saved presidents—including himself—from attempted assassinations.

Key Details:

• The proclamation traces the Secret Service’s origins to April 14, 1865, the day President Abraham Lincoln authorized its creation—just hours before his assassination.
• Originally created to combat rampant counterfeiting, the agency shifted to presidential protection after President McKinley’s 1901 assassination.
• President Trump praised agents for their role in preventing attacks on presidents across decades, including “two attempts against my own life in 2024.”

Diving Deeper:

President Donald J. Trump on Wednesday commemorated the 160th anniversary of the United States Secret Service with a formal proclamation that honored its storied history and the quiet heroism of its agents.

Founded on July 5, 1865, less than three months after President Abraham Lincoln signed legislation authorizing its creation, the Secret Service began as a force to safeguard America’s post-war financial system. “Ironically,” Trump noted, “the agency he established likely could not have saved him,” referencing Lincoln’s assassination on the same day he created the service.

Over the next century, the agency’s role evolved from fighting counterfeiters to becoming the first line of defense for America’s highest office. After the assassination of President William McKinley in 1901, Congress tasked the Secret Service with protecting the President. “What began as an effort to defend America’s currency became a lasting commitment to defend its highest office,” Trump stated.

In his proclamation, Trump recognized the bravery and professionalism of the more than 8,000 men and women who currently serve in the agency. “They protect the President and Vice President, their families, former presidents, major presidential candidates, and visiting foreign dignitaries,” he said, adding that agents “stand firm, confronting threats with unshakable resolve.”

The president specifically referenced moments when the Secret Service confronted direct threats to national leaders—including their rapid responses to the attempted assassinations of Presidents Truman, Ford, Reagan, and Roosevelt—as well as “two attempts against my own life in 2024.” Trump described witnessing “their bravery firsthand — calm under pressure, fearless in the face of danger, and wholly committed to the mission.”

He emphasized that the agency’s work often takes place out of sight and without recognition. “Behind these historical incidents stand countless additional threats, lives protected without fanfare, and sacrifices made without recognition,” he said. “To risk laying down one’s life for another is the most selfless act of patriotism and humanity.”

The proclamation concluded with a national call to gratitude. “Our Nation proudly honors the heroism, discipline, and unwavering commitment of every agent who have placed their lives in the line of fire so that our Republic, our freedom, and our glorious constitutional order may endure,” Trump declared. “I call upon all Americans to offer our unending gratitude and respect to the 8,000 employees of the United States Secret Service… that serve on the edge of danger to defend the safety and security of our communities and uphold the sovereignty and strength of our Republic.”

The 160th anniversary of the Secret Service is formally observed on July 5, 2025.