Trump to propose shifting Secret Service back to Treasury from Homeland Security: report

The Trump administration is looking at whether to shift the Secret Service back to the Treasury Department from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in a move that would shift the agency’s focus to financial fraud.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told Fox News on Thursday that the administration was planning on making the move, which would have to be approved by Congress. The Associated Press reported Friday that President Trump is proposing adding the Secret Service to the Treasury’s budget before legislation is even introduced to either chamber.

“We think it will very much help us in combating money laundering and terrorist activities,” Mnuchin said.

Bring back @SecretService to @USTreasury its original home! https://t.co/iD8RcEKTts

— Steven Mnuchin (@stevenmnuchin1) February 7, 2020

The plan would likely add the $2.3 billion it takes to run the Secret Service to DHS. If moved, the Secret Service would be the second largest agency in the department, after the Internal Revenue Service.

The Secret Service was moved to DHS in 2003 when the department was created after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

While it is best known for protecting the president, the Secret Service was originally founded to investigate financial crimes. It began protecting government officials, including the president and his Cabinet members, in the late 19th century. 

On Thursday it was reported that the Secret Service personnel traveling with the president are charged large fees while staying at his own properties, including his hotel in Washington, D.C.

The full costs of presidential travel have not been released to the Senate Judiciary Committee. The committee might use this proposal as leverage to obtain that information, which Mnuchin has told the committee the Treasury would not release until December.

DHS and the Treasury Department did not immediately respond to an inquiry from The Hill.