Originally Posted by
radhesh
Gordon Brown, former UK PM, on 1A of Delta Shuttle flight (DL5917) from LGA to DCA on 4/13. Escorted in before FC boarded by a couple of State Dept / Secret Service earpiece-wearing agents. He was furiously scribbling away on a sheaf of notes by the time general boarding started. He was met by another set of "agents" and British Embassy types.
Do all former heads of government merit this kind of treatment or is it only for special allies and friends ?
The US Secret Service is authorized by law to protect:
7) Visiting heads of states or governments and their spouses traveling with them,
other distinguished foreign visitors to the United States, and official representatives of the United States performing special missions abroad whom the president deems important enough for protection outside the Diplomatic Security Service