# Justice Manual § 9-65.140: Publicity Concerning Threats Against Government Officials

> Federal · Agency guidance · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-65.140

## Section

- **Citation:** Justice Manual § 9-65.140
- **Heading:** Publicity Concerning Threats Against Government Officials
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Agency guidance
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** 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]

## Nearby sections

- [Justice Manual § 9-65.100 Protection of the President, Presidential Staff, and Certain Secret Service Protectees](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-65.100.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-65.110 Protection of the President and Secret Service Protectees—Notification Requirement](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-65.110.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-65.140 Publicity Concerning Threats Against Government Officials](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-65.140.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-65.200 Threats Against the President and Successors to the Presidency; Threats Against Former Presidents; and Certain Other Secret Service Protectees](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-65.200.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-65.300 Presidential Assassination Statute—18 U.S.C. § 1751](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-65.300.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-65.400 Protection of Temporary Residences and Offices of the President and Other Secret Service Protectees (18 U.S.C. § 1752)](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-65.400.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-65.402 Presidential Visit-United States Attorney's Responsibility](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-65.402.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-65.463 Competency—Utilization of Federal Facility](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-65.463.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-65.500 Interference with or Obstruction of the Secret Service—18 U.S.C. § 3056(d)](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-65.500.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-65.600 Assaults on and Kidnapping of Federal Officers](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-65.600.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-65.611 General Prosecutive Policy Under 18 U.S.C. § 111](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-65.611.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-65.700 Congressional, Cabinet, and Supreme Court Assassination, Kidnapping, and Assault (18 U.S.C. § 351)](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-65.700.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-65.800 Protection of Foreign Officials, Internationally Protected Persons (IPPs) and Official Guests](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-65.800.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-65.810 Prosecutive Policy—Preference for Local Disposition](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-65.810.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-65.140. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.