Former Secret Service Agent Explains How to Protect a President | Tradecraft | WIRED
Former Secret Service Agent Jonathan Wackrow, now managing director at Teneo Risk, explains how the Service protects the President and other VIPs. Wackrow details the many steps required to ensure the safety of protectees, and describes how the Service has changed due to changing technology and lessons learned from historical events. Wackrow served in the Presidential Protection Division in Washington, DC, and managed numerous high-level security operations in the U.S. and abroad.
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Former Secret Service Agent Explains How to Protect a President | Tradecraft | WIRED
You know that secret service monitoring this comment section, so make sure to say hi to them.
Hi secret service. How you doing.
Hi 😎
Hi!
hi mom
Google is monitoring every comment section and anyone in the world has access to it..... your point?
If they are telling us this, they got better plans.
True, but why give them ANY information?
This is all vague info that you could have gotten by being near anyone in security or gleaned a basic understanding if you look at any place with security. you can see these concepts
@@ArmageddonAfterparty Don't be stupid. "Them" is anyone who has evil intentions against our Presidents. You needed THAT explained, dude?!!! Smh.
Maybe they are giving us false information to throw us off? That would actually be super smart
@@ArmageddonAfterparty probably in this day and age they're talking about terrorists leaning probably to foreign type
And he's just talking about the agents you can see.
I'm blind and deaf I feel my way I don't see nobody lol who nope never seen em lol nope never heard him either lol sorry world tuned in heavenly frequecys not worldly lol that's my story and I'm sticking to it lol just gotten up tryna get smile
Imagine, consciously taking a bullet for someone you did not even vote for. That's a tough job right there.
@@ogdank3779 maybe if you think the sum whether or not a personal is worthy of allowing to live is whether or not you voted for them, yea.
@@ogdank3779 WHy did you literally just copy a comment someone else made?
@@ogdank3779 Really? Literally a word for word copy of one of the top comments posted 10-11 months before your comment. You think people aren't going to notice that?
I’m guessing like a million white house officials watched this video before letting wired release it.
come on don’t exaggerate. it was more like 725,000.
I *hope* they did...
There is nothing in here that is not common knowledge among people who deal with security. Nothing sensitive was divulged.
I’m guessing like a million white house officials watched this video before letting wired release it.
@@jec1ny thankyou, people think the reality is just as deep as shown.
He looks like your accountant, but he carries a machine gun.
Thhunter there's actually a movie about that
A small, personal machine gun, he also has access to larger ones if needed. And explosives for when all else fails.
We know everything
@@secretservice2374 username checks out
haha
To everyone saying they shouldn’t openly be discussing this, most of this is relatively basic and self-explanatory. Theory is one thing, training and experience are another.
Jo Bic That's not the most important thing. The important thing is that good security doesn't rely on obfuscation or incompetance. You want things to go well even when aggressors are competant and do the most effective attack you're aware they could make. Same thing in cryptography. In game theory I think it's called an Nash Equilibrium... where your opponent knowing your strategy doesn't affect it being your most effective strategy.
They literally didn't share any technology specifications that stop threats. Plus procedure is dynamic and changes based off of the event, context, etc. There is nothing here for someone who is planning to do such a crime.
CaptainWumbo interesting, definitely have to look that one up
Rian Sahabat wow I’m amazed as to how ignorant you think terrorist organizations are. You think ISIS has managed to survive this long without basic knowledge like this? This entire video consists solely of knowledge that anyone can come up with after 15 minutes of brainstorming.
@@stevewalker6240 Security through obscurity is bad security. Good security needs to be secure even if the attacker knows everything about the security. The secret service knows what they're doing.
Why not fly a plane that doesn’t have “IM THE PRESIDENT” written on it
maybe they do lol. Get airforce one to do a big flashy takeoff one way and then have the pres on a small charter plane out the backdoor
Sometimes they do, depending on the situation.
Meh, airforce one could make a smaller safety plane But until they do, better to ride somewhere while you're packing all the protections that the plane has
With air force one they'll have a strong offence
Sam Cavanagh technically any plane the president is in becomes Air Force one😂 so Air Force one cant take of without the president it’d be SAM-2800, but I know what you mean
Before I watched this: I’m in a bathroom After watching this: I can exit by flushing myself, through the tiny window? There are 7 toilet paper rolls, 3 bars of soap, 1 set of scissors, 4 razor blades, 1 trimmer, 9 bandaids, 1 plunger.
You need more bandaids, man. If you can count em, there ain't enough! 👍
Imagine dating this man's daughter
This reminds me of a Wattpad book. I think it was called Secret Service. Really good book XD
i need to put myself between the assailant and the protectee
Lolz :P
Or son
Lmaooo I bet she stays single 💀
Secret service in 1963: - The risk I took was calculated, but man, am I bad at math.
exactamundo
Secret service in 1963: Ah yes, Archduke Franz Ferdinand in an open top car being assassinated 49 years ago was a one time thing.
@@noodled6145 To be fair, they ran into the guy twice, it really feels like that one was fated to happen
Thank you for your service. Doesn’t matter if your a democrat, republican, or independent, I expect and know we will have the same high quality protection our president deserves.
I like how much pride there's in his words.
I wonder how much money is in his wallet.
@@KunaevNS good luck 😂
I would be prideful too, it's a fascinating job! Beyond all murky, pesky political opinions, the protection of such an important person demands skill, creativity, and a strong resolve. It's no game, of course, but this job is a challenge that constantly demands the greatest out of you; it definitely ain't for everyone.
The calm way they removed that women's arm was smooth and amazing.
Mister Wango / timestamp?
Sooze It’s bad PR to be behind a wall of bodyguards. She wasn’t a threat, but could be.
they msust ve practiced removing arms lots of times
Could've phrased this better 😂
in Russia they would break her arm in five places instead of smooth removing, showed as an example
Now I will never lose a game of protect the president
Yes you will, this is a great opportunity for counter intelligence.
MoonFace Productions maybe he means this store.steampowered.com/app/507010/MrPresident/
Get down mr. president!
1,000 subs with 0 videos love that story
MoonFace Productions it’s a joke man
He's like a pro player of reverse Hitman.
Yeaaah BROO 😮😮😮😮
Any president gets attacked. Secret agent service: well its an another lesson.
I guess the more presidents die, the better the secret service gets
Notice how JFK was the last. They learned very quickly
@@devillif311 hahahaha
*** Well, it's another lesson.
@@Lorisa25 hahaha
Before watching this video: this is a nice room After watching this video: alright there’s 2 doors to exit, plenty of windows to break if needed, the ventilation isn’t great so we need to prepare
Funny but true same thing with me
Dumb
Jazmin Lopez man I shouldn’t of laughed but i did
CJacks it’s ok I won’t tell anyone
You are missing something, how about the amount of steps? Timing? Length of room? Etc. Sloppy.
Would have been nice to hear his analysis of President Bush getting thrown a shoe.
3 main areas: heel, tip, sole. All can be used as a weapon.
after that dreadful event, every shoe in 1 mile in proximity of the president has been closely watch and monitored.
It was on of them who threw it
Bush quickly picked up the shoe and saw that it was a Nike - so he decided to let the man off the hook.
I didn’t care much for Bush but that duck was pretty good. Not bad for a dry drunk.
Hearing him say, "here, here and here" is so satisfying 😅
I liked seeing the progression of safety protocol with the president, it reminded me of FDR when he literally had a torpedo drill with him on the target ship.
The secret service is fascinating I could listen to this for hours
Ashley Hymes facts
**secret service wants to know your location**
me too
A Aaron Vasquez planning the wedding now.
@Disruptive Bee 🧐 idk
He made a swear for life that he would never tell any details about his job so this is probably very light stuff
Someone else said it was publicly available information.
@@sooze610 cuz u don't know to much
Sooze all he did was give basic history and evolution of secret service protection like not allowing open air vehicles, fencing off people, etc. This is pretty basic common sense info
@@sooze610 Its basic info my man.
Sooze you only think it’s too much because you don’t know the rest of it
Imagine on instinct "making yourself big" like a goalie but you're facing gunfire instead of a soccer ball.
Football*
@@lmperlum Very good
I've had the opportunity to meet a Secret Service protectee, and I was very interested in watching how the agents worked. It's great to learn more about it.
basically, they're playing Hitman in reverse
Watching this made me want to play Hitman
Counter-Hitman? 🤣
*Hitman’t*
@@Anonymous-wk1jt Hitmanono
@@erlangga1953 yo hold up. Thatd be a great game.
Me: reaching for my phone in my pocket at a president public speech Agents: so you have chosen...death...
You're screened throughly before you are anywhere near the President.
@Anzu Wyliei Unless you're Jason Bourn or something, I don't see how you'd ever get a clean shot off on anyone under SS protection
@@rico76 There was that Whitehouse shindig where the Real Housewives couple made it into an Obama event, and even took a picture with him! 😱Later they recounted how they made it through 3-4 security checkpoints where they used their real names. Apparently that same night a second intruder made his way in as well. Of course they didn't have a firearm, but someone definitely had to have gotten fired for that mistake!
@@xiomara5147 Please log off...
Text Texty2 back when bush was president they were instructed to shoot a wave of bullets no matter if there are civilians
Terrorists watching this: *IntEReStiNg*
Lmao
*OMOISHIROI*
OH NO THEY DO NOT, THE SECRET SERVICE WILL SHOOT THEM DOWN BEFORE THEY EVEN TAKE A BULLET OUT OF THEIR POCKETS
@@michael9651 lol
Imagine, consciously taking a bullet for someone you did not even vote for. That's a tough job right there.
“I don’t know whether you fully understand that I have just been shot.” - Theodore Roosevelt (Then proceeds to continue his speech)
Then proceeds to continue his speech.
Roosevelt: I appear to have been shot, anyway-
Oh..
Teddy Roosevelt was such a beast.
Being down to die for the president in a split decision is a crazy resolve to have. I can respect that.
Drew lmao depends on the president
Merrill Please That’s even more impressive in a way...being able to die for someone you don’t agree with, like, or even respect.
@@thixiemattel No it does not. Big respect
@@thixiemattel Nah if you're in that job it doesn't matter your beliefs on a single man. Secret Service beholden to the office of the President and not the person, that's the job. Respect for any person who chooses this job.
Robert B You don’t get to choose to be secret service , you get select and pick out of the best of the best
In the clip where Ford was being shot, notice how the secret service reacts quicker to the incident than the police. A good example of the level of training they get.
What do you think would happen if two people, both of whom had secret service protection, plotted to harm another person with protection???
@@chucklebutt4470 ask fidel castro
@@chucklebutt4470 Well, the secret service would likely break up a fight and stop the attack. However if it was two separate governments on bad terms there might be a minor scuffle before the fight gets broken up, or worse a large gunfight.
It's also the type of training they get - police aren't trained to act as a barrier or to protect an individual, they identify and neutralize the threat. Police officers also, despite what people may think, are less likely to encounter a truly threatening situation during the course of their career than the secret service, and experience is the best training. My family member was a cop for 5-6 years and fired a gun once - it was a rifle, and it was to shoot out a street light as they were raiding a drug trafficker to make it harder for the trafficker to escape. That's also the only time she experienced a cop firing a weapon during their job. But they did get into a lot of brawls/fights when trying to arrest people.
Secret Service in movies: 6’ tall, fit muscle beast, pro fighter, tattoos. Real secret service: this guy
A lot of them are deceivingly healthy and athletic. Also this guys i retired, let him live his life and get a gut after a career of such stress and responsibility.
They look like normal people They're "secret" agents
He made himself big to absorb the threat 11:40
Bet his wife feels safe af
Man this was a great video! Very informative, and I actually learned some things I hadn’t heard before.
Now imagine what we do not know
positronlaserforce A LOT
that they are behind all of the attacks
@@CynicalTake What???
positronlaserforce nice profile pic! I love that game :)
Obamas last name
President Ford : gets shot Open Door : I’m gonna save this mans whole career .
That was Reagan
Adam Bořivoj no Reagan got shot and the secret service agent opened the limousine door and shoved him in
MrRedstone___ it was both the guy who shot at Reagan the bullet ricocheted off the limousine and hit him then the secret service agent opened the door and put him in the limousine
@@TingusPingus445 The door was already open when Hinkley opened fire on Reagan...the agent narrating the vid even SAID as much.
sam signorelli I didn’t realize the agent was assigned to Reagan the day he got shot
This is the guy who always got perfect scores on his tests, back in school, including the bonus questions... Even the questions the teacher left out...
Gotta respect professionalism at this level
He knows Obama's last name
Andrea Callini impossible.
It's not Bin Laden that's ridiculous. It's care
That's how you know he's the real deal 👌
Guys its 08
@@oceanman_8370 more like faux care
Totally selfless job. Imagine being tasked with risking or giving up your life for another’s at a moments notice.
All law enforcement
@@ThomasShelby-qb4ic Not really, The big difference between A secret service agent and other law enforcement agents for example a police is that those police no.1 priority is to eliminate the threat, saving other people is secondary to that in the case of secret service, their first priority is securing the protectee(in this case the president) they can eliminate the threat after that. TLDR; A normal law enforcement agent can fight back while secret service most of the time can only fight back after they secured the person their protecting.
@@chachachannel3996 all law enforcement still risk their lives to protect the innocent. Like if theres an active shooter, they put civilians behind them
As a parent I feel that way not sure I could do it for someone if I did not love them. Maybe they do it for love of country. Probably pays well.
@@ThomasShelby-qb4ic good point.
I always find the people who do these security and driving the big guys around so cool and awesome.
I really admire them
*Removes her hand* "This is what they're trained for"
Deniz Isikli circles on TV screen like we can’t already see what he’s talking about
@@KindaRustySocks24 true lol
😂😂😂
There are children who watch this.
*years of training*
I always find ironic that the US secret service run around with SECRET SERVICE plastered across their uniform
The decoys are. While you're watching them there are 20 people watching you and standing next to you that you don't see
@@johnjr757 oh boy...
@Swampy I didn't know. I was shook. That's it. I really couldn't have known. Idk what am I shocked about
John Jr Not really... It’s the Secret Service, not the Gestapo. Chill out with this enemies of the state detective. 😂
Some wear plain clothes and try to blend in
this man explains everything about this so good.
08:59 shows the two positions at the rear of the motorcade where Secret Service agents should've been. They're not there, because they were ordered to stand down as the motorcade left the airport. There's footage of that happening on KZhead. By not having agents positioned to the rear of the vehicle, they opened up more shooting angles.
Take a shot every time he says “protectee”
Take a shot every time he says "mitigated"
Take a shot to which part of my body ? 😂
Quarantine game✨
my liver would never recover, lmao
misinterpreted instructions. plead down to life without parole.
**assassins taking notes**
FBI OPEN UP
They wouldn't be telling us if it was classified
Maybe this is just what they want you to think.🤔
@Philip Actually everybody who watched this video is gonna be on a watchlist...
All that is useless against snipers or an air raid. Or nuclear bomb.
"They provide 360 degrees of cover." Terrorist: I've just found a weakness, the president won't see what fell on him.
Except there are agents up in the catwalk area where they hang the lights, so, no... Good try though. I do think if a President is as tall as Obama or Trump he should have really tall secret servicemen for that 360 degree coverage.
One of the detailed understanding I had in a while!
Wired does the professional videos the best!
Will B-C I have become obsessed with these videos
Yeah finally a place where the professionals are allowed to just speak instead of being asked the same inane questions over and over again
at 11:15 the agent uses his body as a shield, normal reaction is self preservation. But that man right there with balls of steel was able to stand up straight. I wonder if he survived.
He was shot in the chest but survived(‘:
He took a bullet to the right lung but recovered. He is still kicking, and is the chief of police in Orland Park, Illinois.
Proud to call him my town's police chief
h now a retired police chief. So cool knowing he became chief in a nearby suburb. I watched him get shot over and over and over the day if happened. An image seared into my brain
That's what they are basically trained for
The honor is knowing how big the responsibility is. Knowing that someone else's life depends on you. So if you have to. Your life could and should be on the line every time. This is the beauty of this honor. Offense is pointless without sturdy defense. All respect for those who put their life's on the line for others safety. It's the one mission that you have ensure it's success with no room for failure.
Huh. Nice that this showed up on my feed now, of all times.
How to protect the president: Get a telsa cybertruck
Baby Dory ahha
Yeah so that anyone can shoot the president through the window😝😂
Himadri Sharma smack some buller proof
Go find Nemo or sum
Lololol
Y’all ever been stared down by a Secret Service Agent? Man didn’t take his eyes off me bro.
They wear shades, but I swear that I saw them looking at me
@@tenaciousjoda8605 I was wearing shades and my COVID mask during to 2016 election, I swear they were staring at me
@@thatonedude-6819 Yea just turn your back to them and keep one hand in pocket at all times
@@thatonedude-6819 hol up, a covid mask at the 2016 election? :D
@@Phoenix-zu6on yea, had a duffel bag full of hand sanitizer too
Excellent video & superb commentary by Jonathan Wackrow. Thank you, Wired.
Thank you for your service!
"We use a low profile detail for secret missions" *proceeds to use a massive plane with "President Of The United States" written on*
It says "The United States of America" not the president of the United States 😂
@@shreyassalian3955 it had both. The presidential seal and "United States Of America" written on it. Both of which are the last thing you want on a 'secret' mission.
Massive Dickhead Trump just visited Afghanistan two days ago. The plane he travelled in did not have any words on it to give away that it was Air Force 1.
@@j.kimmel7569 I'd hope it wouldn't. Otherwise it would be a massive security oversight.
@@j.kimmel7569 "Massive Dickhead Trump" LMAO
*"Every President is a learning opportunity."* Me: "You can't let your K/D ratio slide, dude!"
Mayor of the Galaxy ......what?..
@@moxictango859 k/d... kill/deaths? i think it's a gaming term
Maybe they can for the one we got now xD
Meanwhile in Austria: the president doesn't need a secret service and will just ride the metro by himself on a tuesday
Not good, considering the history
@@sab_mein_expert2214 LMAO
Bcus he is useless and does nothing important and who tf would want australia? They got dinosaurs and sht still
@@SkyyKeiron He said Austria.
@@IssyFishyy same sht
Well spoken man with tremendous knowledge of his field
And then there is _Olympus has Fallen_ and its sequels...
DeepSpace12 they are really good though
They should get him to break down those movies and other secret service movies.
@@spyne.98 Yup. They are quite good depicting the planning stage and contingency plans. As soon as the action begins, though...
Yep but rather find security expect to break down the scenes because they'd reveal more than a secret service agent (technique critique)
@@juandenz2008 if they do "in the line of fire" will be the most interesting to see i think
"That is, explosive detection..." Me: "HE HAS A NAME SIR!"
Inspiring and courageous to have that higher calling. Salute these men.
Extremely professional and amazing intelligence
You guys know it isn’t being specific
Clearly not :P
I really like this kind of videos where they call experts on those fields and give really insightful knowledge
Thumbs up for the cia guy! I love how he explained things and examined him. Although you can tell he means business, you can also see the sincerity in his voice and the appreciation and the honor he had to protect people, not just important ones. You have to be selfless to do that. Thank you fir making me want to be a better person!!
Secret Service is not CIA
Can't really be a secret mission if you got "AIR FORCE ONE" on the side of your plane that's taking you to the mission.
The plane doesn’t say AF1 it says “President of the United States” af1 is a call sign. still not very obscure though.
The Secret service: _plans everything so the president wont get hurt_ Also the secret service: "Lets put Kennedy in a car without a roof."
J Kennedy wanted to be in a car without a roof
If the president says “ that’s what I want “ they have to adjust to it .
@@kingdestro7618 is there any proof that's what he really wanted?
crushsatan he wanted to have it that way so the public could see his face clearly because he really needed to win the reelection
@@VelocitronVoyager okay, but is there any proof of that?
For all those talking about how they shouldn’t give any wannabe attacker information. This info is on google and has been talked about on many documentaries involving jfk or other attempts.
I worked on his family member's house when I worked HVAC and talked with him. He was very nice and the same exact demeanor as he is in this video.
that was really awesome. thanks!
The only word I heard in the whole video is 'protecteeeeeeeeeeee'
Well. That’s what they’re told to call VIP’s.
Well that’s Bc America gives gun rights to crazy people so it makes sense
And threat
Ya but it's the knowledge that crazy people have guns that the wicked keep in mind crazy sob will b. Quick to come against fear when shows up to strike the people. Every click needs at least one crazy not insane but crazy
Love the images used here of the agents and officers. Very brave people.
the speaker is really good and capable
You guys are heroes.
so it's kinda like being a chaperone for a field trip. Gotcha
Lmboo
Seems like a cool yet scary job!
Yeah like a lawyer in real life vs one you see on TV. Both incredibly serious jobs that’s may be somewhat fabricated to entertain viewers, when publicized.
Great respect for our secret service agents
This was very fascinating
Me watching this somewhere in the middle east. Fbi: So wat do we have here lads.
I give the Secret Service mad props, because I would never stand in the line of fire to protect anyone other than my family. Sorry Presidents!
I would always try hard to protect you. You look beautiful!
@@gilfernando7623 siiiimp
@Gil Fernando siiiimp
@@gilfernando7623 CEO of Simp
@@gilfernando7623 gtfo
I wanna be a secret service member one day and this kinda helps me understand a little more about being one
Seeing the footage of Jackie in that pink suit makes my heart drop every time :(
These videos are so creative and cool. Thank you WIRED
Thank you, Kris!
Here in Switzerland we have seven so called presidents and they all walk around freely without facing any kinds of threats... it's so interesting to see how different these kinds of things are in each country!
It's partly because half of us are insane, and we made half the world hate our country.
@@googiegress7459 it's true as a 7th grader I can positively say I'm crazy
@@donuts3476 You still got time. For example, what do you think about Red Delicious apples?
We have 50 governors who usually do the same.
As a super power the United States has made enemies across the world. They've also made allies across the world. And each ally they make creates new enemies by association. There is a reason the United State's President is called the most powerful man in the world, as well as the leader of the free world. What terrorist wouldn't want to kill someone with those titles? Switzerland doesn't effect the world stage as much as the U.S. does, so naturally they face less threats.
Tough job i admire the protection offered
Thanks, I will defo try this next time
So much respect for their dedication 👏🏻
Immense respect for the secret service. Putting such effort into selfless service is incredible. Have to remember the dedication to serving regardless of personal beliefs or political views,
This must be pretty much the most stressful job in the world.
FYI That service agent gave his life protecting Reagen.
I'm just here to declare to my spy on the otherside of my phone camera. Cmon man this was too interesting not to watch.
I jacked off to this video while staring into my front camera just in case. Assert dominance.
@@BenMarvin 😂😂😂😂
Same here
Agreed
I wonder what would Eric Singer point out about his voice...
That he sucks at singing beth
Ultimate video, awesome 👌🏻❤️
This is a good show off! Amazing
Thank you for your service 🙏🏼
Who just watching to spend your quarantine time in 2020 corona affect
Such comments are the reason why Fortnite's still popular.
Hats off the the agents.
What a great informative video...thanks
This was such an interesting video... Wish they would've talked about Bobby Kennedy too and the impact his assassination had on the Secret Service's learning curve but I appreciated the break down of the assassination attempts on Reagan and Ford.
javachille but Bobby Kennedy wasn’t President when he got killed. He wasn’t even the Democratic nominee yet. That’s why he didn’t get adequate protection, unfortunately. When you’re the nominee of your party (especially the 2 main ones) they start protecting you almost as though you were the President.
@@siononalundula1699 didn't say he was president or the nominee, just that his assassination impacted the secret service.
RFK was clearly on his way to getting the nomination and should’ve had protection
Yeah
I think that’s what they learned - that they need to protect people running for president as well. This is done on a case by case basis. Every nominee gets it, but so do other high profile. I think before RFK, they didn’t think much about this. Pretty sure TV has had a big impact. RFK was during the 60s and although TV had been around for decades - not like the 60s - Nixon Kennedy was the first televised debate.