1525
Protection of the President, etc.Relevant
Statutes
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The primary statutes relevant to protection of the President and
other
Secret Service protectees are as follows: 18 U.S.C. §§ 871, 879,
1751,
1752, and 3056(d). Other relevant statutes include: 18 U.S.C.
§§
115,
351, and 2332b.
As of April 24, 1996, all Federal officials covered under 18 U.S.C
§ 1751 and related statutes are also covered under the expanded
coverage provided in § 1114 of Title 18 for all employees of all
branches, departments, and agencies of the United States Government,
including
active duty military personnel. See Antiterrorism and Effective
Death
Penalty Act of 1996, § 727(a), Pub. L. 104-132, 110 Stat. 1214, 1302.
However, unlike § 1751, section 1114 requires that the violent attack
upon
the Federal official be committed while the Federal official "is engaged in
or
on account of the performance of official duties." Hence, § 1751 is
a
broader statute and should continue to be used for those Federal officials
encompassed within its ambit. Section 1114 and related statutes are now
available, however, for violent attacks upon other Federal officials and
employees of the White House and other Executive Branch agencies not covered
by
§ 1751.
It should also be noted that family members of all Federal
employees are now protected by § 115(a)(1) of Title 18 against assault,
kidnapping, and murder, as well as attempts or threats to assault, kidnap,
or
murder. However, such violent acts must be done "with the intent to impede,
intimidate, or interfere with" such Federal employee "while engaged in the
performance of official duties, or with intent to retaliate against" such
Federal
employee. Violent attacks against the family members of Federal officials
encompassed by § 1751 and related statutes, however, do not
require
such an intent element.
While the threat provisions of § 871 relating to the President
and
§ 879 relating to Former Presidents and other Secret Service protectees
remain operative, § 115(a)(2) of Title 18 now covers threats against
all
Federal employees when such threat is done "with intent to impede,
intimidate,
or interfere with" such Federal employee "while engaged in the performance
of
official duties, or with intent to retaliate against" such Federal employee.
As
with violations of § 1751, sections 871 and 879 remain the preferred
prosecutive vehicle for threats against the individuals protected by those
sections.
In addition, § 115(a)(2) of Title 18 was expanded, as of April
24,
1996, to cover assault, kidnapping, and murder, as well as attempts to
kidnap or
murder or threats to assault, kidnap, or murder, any former Federal
employee with intent to retaliate against such person on account of the
performance of official duties. See Antiterrorism and Effective
Death
Penalty Act of 1996, § 727(b), Pub. L. 104-132, 110 Stat. 1214, 1302.
Moreover, the family members of all former Federal employees are now
covered under § 115 against assault or murder, including any attempt
to
assault or murder, directed towards them on or after April 24, 1996,
provided
such act was done with intent to retaliate against the former Federal
employee
on account of the performance of his/her official duties during the term of
his/her Federal service.
[cited in USAM 9-64.400; USAM 9-65.100] | |