Richard Nixon Wanted The Secret Service To Wear Uniforms
The late President Richard M. Nixon excelled as a politician, diplomat, and elder statesman. He wasn't a style leader, though. Nixon, though, was appropriately impressed by the bodyguards of the international leaders he met. Nixon visited the leaders of the UK, the Philippines, Indonesia, India, and Iran, to mention a few, during his tenure as president.
Along with the progress of American foreign policy, the ceremonial uniforms worn by palace guards in many of those nations were among the items that the president kept in mind while on all of his official trips. So he made the decision to revamp the Secret Service. Only a few other people were impressed by the president's plans.
In January 1970, President Nixon modified the attire of the White House security personnel. He seemed to be the only person who liked the changes. They appeared more like a Middle Eastern royal guard or a high school marching band than like a security unit or like federal agents.
After the new uniforms were shown, complaints over the appearance came from all across Washington. The outfits were compared to everything from toy soldiers to vintage theater ushers to Nazi-style garb. Never ones to moan, the guards had to voice their displeasure with the caps, claiming they were too unpleasant to wear for extended periods of time. After he was criticized by the press, Nixon abandoned the idea and the outfits were eventually donated to a high school marching band.
