Which federal agency protects national leaders and investigates financial crimes, such as counterfeiting, and was established in 1865?

• A. FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation)
• B. Secret Service (United States Secret Service)
• C. DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration)
• D. ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives)

Answer: (B)

The key idea here is a federal agency that combines protective duties for national leaders with investigations into financial crimes like counterfeiting, and whose origin dates back to the mid-19th century. The United States Secret Service was established in 1865 to combat counterfeiting and protect the integrity of the nation’s currency. Over time, its role expanded beyond currency work to include protection of the president, vice president, and other national leaders, as well as visiting heads of state and major events. Today, it continues to safeguard these leaders and ensure safety at key events while also pursuing investigations into financial crimes, including counterfeiting, fraud, and related cyber-enabled financial offenses.

Other agencies have different primary missions and different founding dates. The FBI is a broad investigative agency with origins in the early 20th century, not specifically tied to protection of leaders or to counterfeiting as its original mandate. The DEA and ATF focus on drugs and firearms/explosives, respectively, and were not established in 1865.