---
kind: "section"
citation: "7 U.S.C. § 2279k"
title: "7"
title_heading: "Agriculture"
number: "2279k"
heading: "Authorization of protection operations for the Secretary of Agriculture and others"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/7/2279k"
units:
  - "Chapter 55 — Department of Agriculture"
---

# §2279k. Authorization of protection operations for the Secretary of Agriculture and others

- (a) **In general—** The Department of Agriculture is authorized to [employ](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-10) qualified law enforcement officers or special agents to provide—
  - (1) protection for the [Secretary](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-2) and the Deputy [Secretary](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-2) during the performance of official duties by each such officer and during any activity that is preliminary or postliminary to the performance of official duties by each such officer;
  - (2) protection, incidental to the protection provided pursuant to [paragraph (1)](#a-1), to an individual accompanying each such officer who is participating in an activity or event relating to the official duties of each such officer when there is an articulable threat to such individual;
  - (3) continuous protection to the [Secretary](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-2) and Deputy [Secretary](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-2) (including during periods not described in [paragraph (1)](#a-1)) if there is an articulable threat of physical harm, in accordance with guidelines established by the [Secretary](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-2); and
  - (4) protection of another senior officer representing the [Secretary](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-2) (including a [person](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-1) nominated to be the [Secretary](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-2) during the pendency of such nomination) if there is an articulable threat of physical harm, in accordance with guidelines established by the [Secretary](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-2).
- (b) **Authorities of the protective operation—**
  - (1) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-2) may authorize officers or special agents employed pursuant to [subsection (a)](#a)—
    - (A) to carry firearms;
    - (B) to conduct criminal investigations into potential threats to the [security](/usc/7/24.md?p=b) of [persons](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-1) protected under this section;
    - (C) to make arrests without a warrant for any offense against the United States committed in the presence of such officer or special agent;
    - (D) to perform protective intelligence work, including identifying and mitigating potential threats and conducting advance work to review [security](/usc/7/24.md?p=b) matters relating to sites and events; and
    - (E) to coordinate with local law enforcement agencies.
  - (2) **Guidelines—** The authority conveyed under this section shall be exercised in accordance with any—
    - (A) guidelines issued by the Attorney General; and
    - (B) such additional guidelines as may be issued by the [Secretary](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-2).
- (c) **Exception—** The authorities granted under this section may be exercised notwithstanding [section 1343(b)(1) of title 31](/usc/31/1343.md?p=b-1).
- (d) **Report—** Not later than September 30, 2019, and each September 30 through 2024, the [Secretary](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-2) shall provide to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report describing the protection provided, and accounting for the expenditures made, pursuant to this section.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 115–334, title XII, § 12520, Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 5001.)

## Notes

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Definition of “Secretary”

“Secretary” means the Secretary of Agriculture, see section 2 of Pub. L. 115–334, set out as a note under section 9001 of this title.