Final answer:
The Secret Service was originally created to suppress counterfeit currency, but its role has evolved to include protection of national leaders and investigating financial crimes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Secret Service was originally created in 1865, primarily to combat the widespread counterfeiting of U.S. currency that occurred after the Civil War. Over time, its responsibilities have expanded significantly, particularly following the assassination of President William McKinley in 1901 when Congress informally requested the Secret Service to provide presidential protection. Now, the Secret Service has two critical missions: protection of national leaders and security against financial crimes.
Although the Secret Service is renowned for its role in protecting the President, its original mandate focused on safeguarding the nation's financial infrastructure. The agency's scope has since grown to include protection of visiting foreign dignitaries, major candidates for the Presidency and Vice Presidency, and immediate families of those individuals. The Secret Service also investigates financial crimes involving fraud, identity theft, and computer-based attacks on America's financial, banking, and telecommunications infrastructure.
It is noteworthy that while the agency's core mission of protecting the integrity of currency remains, responsibilities have evolved significantly with the dual function of protection and investigation.