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.

1994—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $1,000”.

1982—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 97–297 inserted “, to kidnap,” after “containing any threat to take the life of”.

1962—Pub. L. 87–829 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), extended the provisions of such subsection to include any other officer next on the order of succession to the office of President and the Vice-President-elect, added subsec. (b), and substituted “and successors to the Presidency” for “, President-elect, and Vice President” in section catchline.

1955—Act June 1, 1955, included in section catchline and in text, provision for penalties for threats against the President-elect and the Vice President.

Pub. L. 106–544, § 1, Dec. 19, 2000, 114 Stat. 2715, provided that: “This Act [amending sections 879, 3056 and 3486 of this title, repealing section 3486A of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under section 3056 of this title, section 551 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, and section 566 of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure] may be cited as the ‘Presidential Threat Protection Act of 2000’.”