The Impact of the Kennedy Assassination on the Evolution of the US Secret Service’s Protective Mission

Abstract

This research highlights the circumstances that led to the creation of the USSS and the evolution of its double missions. besides, this work provides an overview of the new service of security that the agency offered to the U.S presidents throughout history. Besides, this research shows the effect of political figures’ assassinations on the evolution of the USSS protective duty, particularly the Kennedy Assassination which changed the Agency to be more professional in dealing with threats and attacks against its protectees. This dissertation focuses largely on the USSS failure in protecting President JFK and the gradual change that the Agency was forced to make. This work also provides a description to the different security measures that the USSS depends on today to protect the President as well as other protectees.