Sep 14 2017

How the Secret Service Works

54 min 5 movies discussed
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The U.S. Secret Service began after a mandate from President Lincoln called for a service to combat counterfeiters. Since then, they have become more well known as the agency that guards and protects the president and the first family, along with that of former presidents. Learn all about the ins and outs of the this not so secret service in today's episode.

AI Summary

# Summary

Josh and Chuck dive deep into the Secret Service, exploring far more than just the iconic image of sunglassed agents protecting the president. They trace the agency's origins back to 1865 when Lincoln signed legislation creating it to combat counterfeiting—ironically, the very day he was assassinated—and explain how presidential protection didn't become a formal duty until after McKinley's assassination in 1901. Beyond the glamorous Presidential Protection Division, the hosts reveal the Secret Service's extensive work in cybercrime, forensics, and financial crimes, plus some seriously cool tools like their massive ink library containing thousands of pen samples collected since the 1920s to help solve document fraud cases around the world.


Movies Discussed

Designated Survivor
Designated Survivor
2016 TV-14
★ 7.1
"That sounds like it's made up, but it's supposedly true. That's like that show designated survivor that I've never seen. — Chuck referenced the TV show Designated Survivor when discussing the Secret Service protocol of holding a cabinet member at Mount Weather during State of the Union in case of attack." — Chuck
In the Line of Fire
In the Line of Fire
1993 2h 8m
★ 7.0
"In the line of fire? No. — Josh was attempting to recall a Secret Service film but ruled out In the Line of Fire." — Josh
Taxi Driver
Taxi Driver
1976 1h 54m
★ 8.1
"Taxi driver? No. In the line of fire? No. — Josh was trying to remember an agent's name from a Secret Service-related film but ruled out Taxi Driver and In the Line of Fire." — Josh
The Matrix
The Matrix
1999 2h 16m
★ 8.2
"Matrix, the Matrix. Oh, the main bad guy? Agent Smith, right? — Josh referenced Agent Smith from The Matrix as an example of someone looking cool in dark glasses, though he noted it had nothing to do with Secret Service." — Josh
Three's Company
Three's Company
1977
★ 7.6
"It's like three's company, but in the White House. — Chuck joked that Secret Service agents being emotionally close to the First Lady would be like the sitcom Three's Company but set in the White House." — Chuck

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