Since the early 1900s, the United States Secret Service codenames have been an integral part of US presidential security. Initially, these codenames provided an additional layer of security when electronic communications were less secure. Today, their function is largely ceremonial and logistical, ensuring clear communication over radio transmissions. On July 15, 2024, JD Vance was announced as former US President Donald Trump’s running mate for the upcoming US presidential election, and shortly after, he was assigned his US Secret Service codename.
According to the Daily Mail, Vance is now known to his protective detail as “Bobcat.” This name resonates personally with Vance for several reasons. The bobcat, a medium-sized cat native to Vance’s home state of Ohio, is known for being “naturally shy of humans,” according to the government website of Alberta, Canada, where these animals are commonly found. Vance’s connection to the bobcat extends beyond Ohio. He spent much of his youth in Jackson, Kentucky, home to the Breathitt County Bobcats, a local high school sports team. Moreover, Vance is an ardent Ohio football fan and an alumnus of Ohio State University, whose football team is colloquially referred to as the Bobcats.
Vance’s journey to becoming Donald Trump’s running mate has been accompanied by both praise and criticism. A former Marine and author of the memoir “Hillbilly Elegy,” Vance’s blue-collar roots and outspoken nature have made him a polarising figure. He has faced criticism for his controversial statements, such as calling Democrat women “a bunch of childless cat ladies with miserable lives” who are making “the country miserable too.” Despite these controversies, Vance remains a strong candidate with deep ties to Ohio and Kentucky. His Secret Service codename, “Bobcat,” reflects his personal history and connections, symbolising both his shy yet determined nature and his loyalty to his home states.
The bobcat (Lynx rufus), also known as the red lynx, is one of the four existing species within the medium-sized wild cat genus Lynx. In his acceptance speech at the Republican party convention in Milwaukee, Vance proudly declared, “My name is J.D. Vance, from the great state of Ohio,” to which the Ohio delegation responded with an enthusiastic “O-H-I-O” chant. Vance’s humour and acknowledgment of the need to win over states like Michigan were evident when he remarked, “We’ve got to chill with the Ohio love. We’ve got to win Michigan too here,” following a spirited “Let’s Go Blue” chant from the Michigan delegation.
What is the process behind assigning codenames? US Secret Service codenames are chosen from a list maintained by the White House Communications Agency. Candidates select their names from this list, often opting for names that hold personal significance or symbolise their personality. The White House provides this list, and according to a Secret Service spokesperson in a statement to The Washington Post, the names are often chosen on a “sheer whim.” Famous examples of codenames include “Mogul” and “Muse” for Donald Trump and his wife Melania, “Celtic” and “Capri” for Joe Biden and US First Lady Jill Biden, and “Pioneer” for US Vice President Kamala Harris. Members of the same family are traditionally assigned codenames that begin with the same letter.
What are some notable US Secret Service codenames? Secret Service codenames have been used by many prominent figures throughout history. Here are a few notable examples:
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John F. Kennedy
: “Lancer” – Apt, given that his administration was often compared to Camelot, the magical court of Arthurian legend where Lancelot was a legendary knight.*
Richard Nixon
: “Searchlight” – Ironic in light of his attempts to cover up the Watergate scandal.*
Gerald Ford
: “Passkey” – Held a certain irony as he locked the door on any possibility of criminal prosecution against Nixon by granting him a pardon.*
Jimmy Carter
: “Deacon” – Reflected his deeply religious faith and active participation in the Baptist church.*
Ronald Reagan
: “Rawhide” – Possibly a reference to the numerous westerns he had appeared in before becoming a politician.*
George H.W. Bush
: “Timberwolf” – The reasons for this name are unknown, though it refers to the largest member of the dog family.*
Bill Clinton
: “Eagle” – Speculated to be related to his association with the Boy Scouts, where Eagle Scout is the top rank.*
George W. Bush
: “Trailblazer” – His presidential code name was complimentary, though his name when his father was president was “Tumbler,” based on his alleged propensity to party.*
Barack Obama
: “Renegade” – Reportedly picked this from a list of code names starting with R.*
Donald Trump
: “Mogul” – A fitting name given his business background, despite his suggestion to use “Humble.”*
Joe Biden
: “Celtic” – A reference to his Irish heritage.Some codenames are less flattering but equally personal. For instance, Roger Clinton, Bill Clinton’s younger half-brother, who served over a year in prison on drug charges, was known as “Headache.” In an interview with The New York Times, Roger Clinton once said, “I don’t have a choice of being first brother.” Ted Kennedy, John F. Kennedy’s brother and former Massachusetts senator, had the codename “Sunburn” due to his pale skin and love for playing flag football in Hyannis Port.
