§ 871. Threats against President and successors to the Presidency
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(a)Whoever knowingly and willfully deposits for conveyance in the mail or for a delivery from any post office or by any letter carrier any letter, paper, writing, print, missive, or document containing any threat to take the life of, to kidnap, or to inflict bodily harm upon the President of the United States, the President-elect, the Vice President or other officer next in the order of succession to the office of President of the United States, or the Vice President-elect, or knowingly and willfully otherwise makes any such threat against the President, President-elect, Vice President or other officer next in the order of succession to the office of President, or Vice President-elect, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.
(b)The terms “President-elect” and “Vice President-elect” as used in this section shall mean such persons as are the apparent successful candidates for the offices of President and Vice President, respectively, as ascertained from the results of the general elections held to determine the electors of President and Vice President in accordance with title 3, United States Code, sections 1 and 2. The phrase “other officer next in the order of succession to the office of President” as used in this section shall mean the person next in the order of succession to act as President in accordance with title 3, United States Code, sections 19 and 20.
(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 740; June 1, 1955, ch. 115, § 1, 69 Stat. 80; Pub. L. 87–829, § 1, Oct. 15, 1962, 76 Stat. 956; Pub. L. 97–297, § 2, Oct. 12, 1982, 96 Stat. 1318; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(H), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147.)
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 89 (Feb. 14, 1917, ch. 64, 39 Stat. 919).
Reference to persons causing or procuring was omitted as unnecessary in view of definition of “principal” in section 2 of this title.
Minor changes were made in phraseology.
Connections14 cite this · traces to 5
Cited by 14 sections · top 12
statutes-at-large
- Public Law 414
- Public Law 106–544To amend section 879 of title 18, United States Code, to provide clearer coverage over threats against former Presidents and members of their families, and for other purposes
- Public Law 97–297To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide a criminal penalty for threats against former Presidents, major Presidential candidates, and certain other persons protected by the Secret Service, and for other purposes
17 references not yet in our index
- June 25, 1948, ch. 645
- 62 Stat. 740
- June 1, 1955, ch. 115, § 1
- 69 Stat. 80
- Pub. L. 87–829, § 1
- 76 Stat. 956
- Pub. L. 97–297, § 2
- 96 Stat. 1318
- Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(H)
- 108 Stat. 2147
- Feb. 14, 1917, ch. 64
- 39 Stat. 919
- Pub. L. 103–322
- Pub. L. 97–297
- Pub. L. 87–829
- Pub. L. 106–544, § 1
- 114 Stat. 2715
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cites case law
§ 871
Threats against President and successors to the Presidency
Fed. Reg.×10
Stat.×3
U.S.C.×1
ActJune 25, 1948, ch. 645
Stat.62 Stat. 740
ActJune 1, 1955, ch. 115, § 1
Stat.69 Stat. 80
Pub. L.Pub. L. 87–829, § 1
Cites 22 · showing 10Cited by 14 across 3 sources