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The U.S. Secret Service officially begins operations within the Department of the Treasury, less than three months after President Abraham Lincoln authorized the agency's creation. Chief William P. Wood was sworn in as the first Secret Service chief (now known as “director”). The initial focus of the Secret Service was to combat the widespread counterfeiting of U.S. currency. It wasn't until
1902 when the Secret Service assumed full-time responsibility for protection of the President. At that time, only two men were assigned full-time to the White House Detail. More