3 ms·

Well, I know they exist, so if the former was a goal, that failed.

• sangnoir 7y ago
  I don't think they named the "Secret Service" based on its existence being kept secret either - rather, their business is secret. I don't think that was a goal considering how avidly they plaster Masonry symbols everywhere - including on their temples
  • skyyler 7y ago
    Actually, the Secret Service was originally an undercover anti-counterfeiting group. I do believe its existence was kept secret for a time.
    • sangnoir 7y ago
      I'm genuinely curious: may you please provide more information about how it was "undercover"? None of the references I've found suggest that knowledge of its existence was kept under wraps at the time of its founding in 1865[1] - it was merely the federal agency responsible for countering counterfeit currency, and that doesn't require secrecy. I suspect the whole 007-like mystique only arose much later - after it was tasked with protecting the president in 1901/2 1. not-so-fun-fact: Lincoln was assassinated while the legislation to create the USSS was awaiting his signature on his desk