Secret Service Code Names

While code names were initially given by the Secret Service to protect government officials, modern-day code names are used for easier pronunciation, brevity and to uphold tradition. Some of my personal favorites include the names of presidential candidates and administration workers, specifically Newt Gingrich's "T-Rex" and Bernie Sanders' "Intrepid".

Presidents are usually able to decide their final moniker and a surprising number of code names seem to reflect the type of leader and who they are.

Donald Trump (2016 - present) "Mogul"

Our current President, Donald Trump, uses the name mogul, which is defined "as an important or powerful person, especially in the motion picture or media industry". With an estimated net worth of 3.1 billion USD (2018), appearances in the Home Alone franchise, and key figure in his TV show The Apprentice, Mogul clearly represents Trump's life before his presidency.

Jimmy Carter (1977 - 1981) "Deacon"

Known as one of the most devout presidents, Jimmy Carter was referred to as "Deacon", an ordained minister in the Christian faith. Following Nixon's Watergate scandal and his subsequent pardon, the American public was attracted to a morally upright and seemingly untainted politician during the 1776 elections. Only serving one term as governor and a former peanut farmer, Carter appealed to those craving a quieter presidency. While he did announce a cut back in his schedule in January of this year, Carter continues to teach Sunday School to this day. Clearly, Deacon is a fitting choice for a code name.

John F Kennedy (1961 - 1963) "Lancer"

Like many Cold War Era presidents, Kennedy's name alluded to the President being a soldier -- a lancer is a member of the cavalry armed with lances. Furthermore, following her husband's assassination, Jacqueline Kennedy gave the famous "Camelot" interview in November 1963. In it, she stated: "the song he loved most came at the very end of this record, the last side of Camelot... 'Don't let it be forgot, that once there was a spot, for one brief shining moment that was known as Camelot'...There'll never be another Camelot again". This quote would forever associate the Kennedy Administration with King Arthur's Camelot, and Kennedy with the legendary knight Lancelot. Kennedy's code name reflected his determination and skill in dealing with the Cold War, specifically seen through the peaceful resolution of the Cuban Missile Crisis.


Despite many code names directly correlated to the type of leader the President was, many others were more ironic or in opposition to how the President acted.

Barack Obama (2008 - 2016) "Renegade" 

Barack Obama's code name is one of the more fascinating ones; Renegade means "a person who deserts and betrays an organization, country, or set of principles." As president, being labelled by the Secret Service as defector or traitor is undeniably strange. However, rather than referring to a dictionary definition, Renegade was allegedly chosen because of the 1989 movie Renegades. According to Vanity Fair, Obama watched dozens of Keifer Sutherland movies while on the 2008 campaign trail. When approached by the FBI to pick a code name beginning with the letter "R", Renegades was his top pick.

Richard Nixon (1969 - 1974) "Searchlight"

Nixon held the moniker "searchlight". Ironically, he spent the last months in office attempting to cover up the break in at the DNC hotel room. The Watergate Scandal and his role in the cover up clearly goes against the idea that he brought and shed light into unknown areas.

Lyndon Johnson (1963 - 1969) "Volunteer" 

The irony of Johnson's code name is easily explained; he was called a volunteer but was forced into the office of President after the assassination of John F Kennedy.



Sites
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secret_Service_code_name
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2008/11/the-obama-code-names-explained
https://www.britannica.com/list/secret-service-code-names-of-10-us-presidents
http://beta.nydailynews.com/news/politics/best-presidential-secret-service-code-names-article-1.2364212
“The Century: Starting Over (1975-1980)” Worksheet