The protection of the US President is a highly complex and secretive process. Historically, there was a lack of protection for the President, but after the assassination of James Garfield in 1881 and later William McKinley in 1901, Congress authorized the Secret Service to protect the President.
Today, the Secret Service uses a multi-layered approach to protect the President, including:
1. A bullet-resistant suit made of a secret fiber that can mitigate damage from low-caliber bullets.
2. A team of highly trained agents who are experts in human behavior and can identify potential threats.
3. A "peacock" strategy, where visible agents are used to deter would-be attackers, while plain-clothed agents work in the crowd to identify and neutralize threats.
4. Sharpshooters who are positioned in advance to identify and neutralize potential snipers.
5. Technology, including devices that can kill radio and cellular signals, and automated anti-drone devices.
The Presidential limousine, known as "The Beast," is also highly protected, with features including:
1. Armor-plated windows and doors.
2. A steel layer of armor on the underside of the vehicle.
3. Puncture and shred-resistant tires.
4. An automated firefighting system.
5. An oxygen supply that can keep the President alive for a classified amount of time.
The President's entourage also includes several vehicles equipped with chain guns, air threat response units, and other defensive measures.
Air Force One, the President's plane, is also highly protected, with features including:
1. Defensive countermeasures, including electronic countermeasures, decoys, chaff, flares, and laser systems.
2. Speed, with a top speed of Mach 0.85.
The cost of protecting the President is estimated to be in the tens of millions of dollars, and is paid for by the American taxpayer.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. President James Garfield was assassinated on July 2, 1881, while walking through the Baltimore and Potomac train station.
2. At the time, the President of the United States had no additional protection, and there was no police presence with him.
3. President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated in 1865, but this event did not lead to increased protection for the President.
4. The founding fathers did not see a need to protect the President, and the White House was only protected by a single police officer.
5. The assassination of President James Garfield did not lead to immediate changes in presidential protection.
6. It was not until the assassination of President William McKinley in 1901 that Congress authorized a federal agency to protect the President.
7. The Secret Service, established in the 1860s to combat counterfeiting, was tasked with protecting the President.
8. In 1902, the White House became officially closed to the public, and the Secret Service created its first presidential detail.
9. Over time, the protection of the President expanded to include the President's family, the Vice President, and presidential candidates.
10. In 1968, after the assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy, Secret Service protection was extended to presidential candidates.
11. The Secret Service uses a range of methods to protect the President, including trained agents, sharpshooters, and technology.
12. The President's vehicle, known as the Beast, is a highly armored and secure limousine.
13. The Beast is equipped with advanced security features, including night vision and thermal cameras, a steel layer of armor, and puncture-resistant tires.
14. The President's entourage includes several vehicles, including SUVs equipped with chain guns and air threat response units.
15. Air Force One is equipped with defensive countermeasures, including electronic countermeasures, decoys, chaff, flares, and laser systems.
16. The President's travel is tightly controlled and can cost tens of millions of dollars, which is paid for by the American taxpayer.