A new president brings a new Secret Service code name; introducing 'Mogul'
Since Harry Truman was president, the United States Secret Service has used code names for the commander-in-chief, first ladies, children and other prominent figures.
The names often are funny or clever, with references to the individual’s background, hobbies or profession.
Harry Truman was “General.” Bess Truman was “Sunnyside.” John F. Kennedy was “Lancer,” and Jackie Kennedy was “Lace.”
President-elect Donald Trump’s code name is “Mogul,” according to a CNN report. Vice President-elect Mike Pence, former governor of Indiana, is “Hoosier.” Melania Trump is “Muse,” while Karen Pence is “Hummingbird.”
Barack Obama was “Renegade,” and Michelle Obama was “Renaissance.” Joe Biden was “Celtic,” and Jill Biden was “Capri.”
Lesser-known political figures and those who ended up with unsuccessful bids for the White House had code names too.
During the race for the 2000 presidential election, Al Gore, known as “Sundance,” ran with Joe Lieberman, whose code name was “Laser.”
During Hillary Clinton’s failed bid for the presidency, the Clintons retained code names from their 8-year stint in the White House. Hillary Clinton is known as “Evergreen” and Bill Clinton was named “Eagle.”
Families often share the same first letter for all of their code names. The Obamas were R, the Clintons were E, the Trumps are M. Some presidents and first ladies had more than one code name.
According to Time, the names of a president’s family members often would be alliterative to their name.
High-ranking members of some administrations get code names, too. “Matrix” often is used as a generic name for the White House Press Secretary. Rahm Emanuel, Obama’s former chief of staff, was “Black Hawk.”
The names originally were for security, beginning in a time when electronic communication wasn’t routinely encrypted. But now the names are used mostly for tradition and brevity.
The White House Communications Agency assigns the names, not the Secret Service.
Some of the names are difficult to find or confirm. The Washington Post looked into the names and sources for them, and came up with a list.
For more code names, or to create your own, go to The Washington Post’s name generator. Other names can be found on Wikipedia.
Places and things get names, too. Air Force One is “Angel” or “Cowpuncher.” The presidential state car is “Stagecoach.” The White House is “Castle” and the Capitol is “Punch bowl.” The White House Situation Room is “Cement Mixer.”
Some high-profile visitors and friends also received names. Frank Sinatra, friend to JFK, reportedly was “Napoleon.” Pope John Paul II, “Halo.”
1976
Gerald Ford: Passkey
Betty Ford: Pinafore
Jimmy Carter: Deacon
Rosalynn Carter: Dancer
1980
Ronald Reagan: Rawhide
Nancy Reagan: Rainbow
1988
George H. W. Bush: Timberwolf
Barbara Bush: Tranquility
1992
Bill Clinton: Eagle
Hillary Clinton: Evergreen
2000
George W. Bush: Trailblazer
Laura Bush: Tempo
2008
Barack Obama: Renegade
Michelle Obama: Renaissance
2016
Donald Trump: Mogul
Melania Trump: Muse
This story was originally published January 19, 2017 at 1:45 PM with the headline "A new president brings a new Secret Service code name; introducing 'Mogul'."