# Will the Bidens' code names change? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 8, 2020, 8:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-bidens-code-names-change/925044 "2020-11-08T08:34:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2020, 8:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-bidens-code-names-change/925044/1 "2020-11-08T08:34:10Z")
The Secret Service code name for Joe Biden as VP was “Celtic,” while Jill’s was “Capri.” Will these be retained or changed for his presidency? ---
**Author:** ![Malden\_Capell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malden_capell/32/5274_2.png) [@Malden\_Capell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malden_Capell)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2020, 8:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-bidens-code-names-change/925044/2 "2020-11-08T08:56:17Z")
Would they tell you? lol ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2020, 9:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-bidens-code-names-change/925044/3 "2020-11-08T09:03:11Z")
I don’t get why they have “code names” for everyone and everything and those “code names” are public knowledge. What’s the point of that? (ETA: Is it just for radio communication efficiency?) ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2020, 9:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-bidens-code-names-change/925044/4 "2020-11-08T09:32:07Z")
Yes. [The United States Secret Service uses code names for U.S. presidents, first ladies, and other prominent persons and locations. The use of such names was originally for security purposes and dates to a time when sensitive electronic communications were not routinely encrypted; today, the names simply serve for purposes of brevity, clarity, and tradition.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secret_Service_code_name) ---
**Author:** ![NetTrekker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nettrekker/32/2909_2.png) [@NetTrekker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NetTrekker)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2020, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-bidens-code-names-change/925044/5 "2020-11-09T15:33:59Z")
Just curious, what was Trump’s code name? I could think of a few possibilities. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2020, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-bidens-code-names-change/925044/6 "2020-11-09T15:59:21Z")
According to the Wikipedia article in the post right above yours, Trump’s code name is Mogul. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2020, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-bidens-code-names-change/925044/7 "2020-11-09T16:03:02Z")
Code names are sometimes changed, sometimes not, if the person’s role changes. That’s what I’m curious about here. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2020, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-bidens-code-names-change/925044/8 "2020-11-09T16:05:37Z")
I’m just guessing, but because he has been receiving uninterrupted Secret Service protection as VP _and_ a former VP, they’ll continue using the same code name. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2020, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-bidens-code-names-change/925044/9 "2020-11-09T16:05:50Z")
> [@NetTrekker](#): > > Just curious, what was Trump’s code name? I could think of a few possibilities. - I would have gone with Biff or Jabba. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2020, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-bidens-code-names-change/925044/10 "2020-11-09T16:31:40Z")
That makes the most sense; they’re already known as _Celtic_ and _Capri_ from his Vice Presidency and subsequent protection. Changing it now would only confuse things. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2020, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-bidens-code-names-change/925044/11 "2020-11-09T17:06:01Z")
Here’s a list [Secret Service code name - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secret_Service_code_name) ---
**Author:** ![psychobunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2020, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-bidens-code-names-change/925044/12 "2020-11-09T17:46:11Z")
He’s been using the same name all along.Also-good name for Kamala. > **[Kamala Harris reportedly chooses apt Secret Service code name: Pioneer](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/18/kamala-harris-secret-service-code-name)** > > Senator is first black woman and first Indian and Jamaican American to be part of a major party presidential ticket ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2020, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-bidens-code-names-change/925044/13 "2020-11-09T17:51:34Z")
> [@susan](#): > > The Secret Service code name for Joe Biden as VP was “Celtic,” while Jill’s was “Capri.” Thereby confusing the crap out of every Bostonian. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Malden\_Capell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malden_capell/32/5274_2.png) [@Malden\_Capell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malden_Capell)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2020, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-bidens-code-names-change/925044/14 "2020-11-09T17:56:16Z")
That’s the name of the Soviet youth group! MARXISTS!