What was Donald Trump’s Secret Service codename? What about Biden, Obama, JFK and other US presidents?

If you were ever consumed by Aaron Sorkin’s classic series The West Wing, then no doubt you were also at some point in the various plot lines asking yourself about the more intricate elements of the United States government. One potential doubt may have been over the code names that were assigned to the president, his staff and his family.

For Jed Bartlett it was Eagle (although Liberty was also used) while names were given to the likes of Sam (Princeton), CJ (Flamingo) and Josh (Muffin), as well as his wife Abby (Lady Macbeth), and daughter Zoey (Book Bag) among many others. But what about real life, what about the presidents that have had to make decisions with true national and international impacts? Let’s take a look at a selection of some of those that have sat in the Oval Office in front of the presidential seal.

Full screen

All the presidents’ names

How are Secret Service code names chosen?

The story of these type of code names begins in the 1940s, amidst the turmoil of World War II. As global tensions rose and espionage became a real threat, the Secret Service sought innovative ways to protect the identities and movements of high-profile individuals, particularly the president. The advent of electronic eavesdropping posed new risks, making secure communication a top priority.

These pseudonyms provided an important layer of security, ensuring that sensitive information discussed over radio and telephone transmissions couldn’t easily be intercepted by enemies. The choice of these names is an art in itself. They were selected to be unique, easily pronounceable, and, interestingly, bore no direct relation to the person’s real name. This helped avoid any confusion in communication while adding a touch of mystery and intrigue.

Full screen

Over time, what began as a strict security measure has evolved into a cherished tradition. Presidents and their families receive code names that often reflect their personalities, interests, or notable characteristics. From the list above, for example, ‘Celtic’ for Joe Biden links to his Irish roots, while ‘Lancer’ hinted at JFK’s Camelot-style administration. For Trump, ‘Mogul’ (often defined as an important or powerful person) was actually not what he said he wanted, once suggesting that ‘Humble’ was more appropriate. Maybe the current Republican nominee targeting a return to the While House was being ironic.