Secret Service Sees 214% Surge in Applications Amid Trump-Era Reforms

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has reported a jaw-dropping 214% surge in applications to join the Secret Service, with 22,000 hopefuls applying from January 20 to May 1, 2025, compared to just 7,000 in the same period last year. This unprecedented wave of interest coincides with the Trump administration’s renewed focus on bolstering the agency’s resources and mission.

The Secret Service, tasked with protecting high-profile figures like former President Donald Trump during two assassination attempts in 2024, has seen its reputation as a gold-standard protection agency reinvigorated. A DHS spokesperson highlighted the shift, stating that after years of underfunding and demoralization, the agency is now equipped to thrive, inspiring Americans to serve. The agency employs 8,210 personnel, including 3,904 special agents and 1,560 uniformed officers, all working to maintain its storied legacy.

Former Secret Service agent Tim Miller noted the agency’s return to its core mission, emphasizing that high standards are once again attracting top-tier candidates. “People want to be part of something elite,” Miller said, reflecting on his own rigorous path to becoming an agent after serving as a Marine Corps officer and police officer.

Founded in 1865 to combat counterfeit currency, the Secret Service took on presidential protection duties after President William McKinley’s assassination in 1901. Today, with renewed vigor, it’s clear the agency is reclaiming its place as a beacon for those driven to protect and serve.