Publicity Concerning Threats Against Government Officials
FederalAgency guidance
Ask Donna
How this section applies to your facts.
DOJ Justice Manual › Title 9: Criminal › 9-65.000 - Protection Of Government Officials › Justice Manual § 9-65.140
Text
Media attention given to certain kinds of criminal activity seems to generate further criminal activity; this is especially true concerning Presidential threats which is well documented by data previously supplied by the United States Secret Service. For example, in the six-month period following the March 30, 1981, attempt on the life of President Reagan, the average number of threats against protectees of the Secret Service increased by over 150 percent from a similar period during the prior year.
The United States Attorney must carefully consider the possible adverse effect before releasing information to the public concerning cases and matters involving threats against the President (18 U.S.C. § 871) as well as other Secret Service protectees (18 U.S.C. § 879). This exercise of caution should extend to secondary sources of press information as well (search warrants, affidavits, etc.), and the use of tools such as sealed affidavits should be considered.
See also Media Guidelines,
JM 1-7.000
et seq.
, and 28 C.F.R. § 50.2.
[updated January 2020]
This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.