U.S. Secret Service response during September 11 attacks

During the September 11 terrorist attacks, U.S. Secret Service Director Brian Stafford managed the agency's response from the Crisis Center in Washington, D.C. Stafford oversaw the safety of multiple protectees, including President George W. Bush, and addressed the risk of a decapitation attack on U.S. leadership.

Stafford enacted the federal Continuity of Operations Plan under Presidential Decision Directive 67, a framework designed to relocate U.S. leadership to safety. This level of continuity posture had not been activated in such a manner since World War II.

In New York City, Special Agents Tom Armas and John Buckley were at the New York Field Office in 7 World Trade Center during the attacks. The agents attempted to enter the North Tower but were knocked down by the shockwave from the South Tower strike and subsequently became trapped in the lobby during the South Tower's collapse.