Change in U.S Government and the secret service

jamesie_boy

What exactly happens when there is a change of party in government e.g from Democrats to Republicans and vice versa with regard to the secret service? For example the government hold documents and other files that aren't supposed to be released to the public such as certain autopsy photos of JFK among other things. If there is a secret the current government holds what is stopping them from not passing it on to the next government party that hold power if it was in their best interests?

Black Swan

MOD COMMENT:
Moved from Political Theory to US Politics.

Overheal

jamesie_boy wrote: »

What exactly happens when there is a change of party in government e.g from Democrats to Republicans and vice versa with regard to the secret service? For example the government hold documents and other files that aren't supposed to be released to the public such as certain autopsy photos of JFK among other things. If there is a secret the current government holds what is stopping them from not passing it on to the next government party that hold power if it was in their best interests?

The Secret Service doesn't in the literal sense protect Secrets.

IK,R?

Actually the Secret Service when it isn't providing bodyguard services mainly concerns itself with protecting the US Dollar. That is to say, they were founded to investigate counterfeiting of the currency.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Secret_Service

You might be thinking of the Central Intelligence Agency, CIA, which is actually charged with collecting information that is of interest to national security and relaying that information to policymakers (senators, congressman, presidents, etc) in a meaningful, advisory manner.

And I'm sure that's only the iceberg. You can read more here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classified_information_in_the_United_States

Manic Moran

jamesie_boy wrote: »

What exactly happens when there is a change of party in government e.g from Democrats to Republicans and vice versa with regard to the secret service? For example the government hold documents and other files that aren't supposed to be released to the public such as certain autopsy photos of JFK among other things. If there is a secret the current government holds what is stopping them from not passing it on to the next government party that hold power if it was in their best interests?

Documents which are classified are on a ten-year review cycle. After ten years, the document is assessed as to whether it should be released or retained in a classified status. As a result, eventually, a 'hostile' government could be found to be in control of this decision process and the document released.

As far as going the other direction, the answer is 'nothing', but the question is flawed from the getgo.

Firstly, nobody with any sense is going to commit anything illegal/immoral to writing in the first place. Secondly, for better or worse from your current political viewpoint, the governments of the US have historically acted in what they perceive to be the best interests of the country. Very little is going to be so horribly damaging that they'd be embarassed to risk a follow-on government finding out about it. And thirdly, the general code of conduct is such that successive governments honour the previous government, so it's bad form for them to release stuff without pretty good cause.

NTM

jamesie_boy

Manic Moran wrote: »

Documents which are classified are on a ten-year review cycle. After ten years, the document is assessed as to whether it should be released or retained in a classified status. As a result, eventually, a 'hostile' government could be found to be in control of this decision process and the document released.

As far as going the other direction, the answer is 'nothing', but the question is flawed from the getgo.

Firstly, nobody with any sense is going to commit anything illegal/immoral to writing in the first place. Secondly, for better or worse from your current political viewpoint, the governments of the US have historically acted in what they perceive to be the best interests of the country. Very little is going to be so horribly damaging that they'd be embarassed to risk a follow-on government finding out about it. And thirdly, the general code of conduct is such that successive governments honour the previous government, so it's bad form for them to release stuff without pretty good cause.

NTM

Thanks! delighted with that response. I've always wondered what exactly happens in these situations. Now my imagination can get out of hand very quickly at times. Next thing I'll be asking is 'what structures are in place in government institutions to stop a hitler type president to become infatuated by his power and mess up the whole shebang'

Overheal

jamesie_boy wrote: »

Thanks! delighted with that response. I've always wondered what exactly happens in these situations. Now my imagination can get out of hand very quickly at times. Next thing I'll be asking is 'what structures are in place in government institutions to stop a hitler type president to become infatuated by his power and mess up the whole shebang'

It wouldn't happen. If it did, it would take hell freezing over. And in that event thats one of the nice things about having an armed populace. But you would pretty much need if I'm not mistaken, full support of the Legislative, Judicial, and Military to pull such a feat off.

sarumite

Overheal wrote: »

It wouldn't happen. If it did, it would take hell freezing over. And in that event thats one of the nice things about having an armed populace. But you would pretty much need if I'm not mistaken, full support of the Legislative, Judicial, and Military to pull such a feat off.

If it does happen, let me know. I knew a girl once who said that it would take hell would freezing over before she would go on a date with me. While I am not allowed date other girls now, I still would be interested in mentioning it to her at least.