Secret Service duties eyed as threats rise

WASHINGTON, Oct. 18 (UPI) -- Rising death threats against U.S. President Barack Obama are prompting a debate about the Secret Service's resources and duties, officials say.

Some within the Secret Service are advocating the agency be relieved of its duties to investigate financial crimes and concentrate instead on protection of government leaders in the wake of growing anti-government sentiment, The Boston Globe reported Sunday.

"If there were an evaluation of the service's two missions, it might be determined that it is ineffective ... to conduct its protection mission and investigate financial crimes," an internal report issued in August by the Congressional Research Service and obtained by the newspaper said.

A government official whose named was not reported told the newspaper Secret Service leaders are discussing making changes.

"This is a discussion going on not only in some quarters in Congress, but inside the Secret Service," the official said. "Should there be a re-look at the mission?"

Secret Service spokesman Special Agent Edwin Donovan told the Globe that though "there is no doubt the protection mission has grown" the agency can fulfill its missions.