The Secret Service may have its troubles in Colombia, but it was on friendly ground at the Supreme Court: No justice, conservative or liberal, was ready to get in the way of agents' right to act aggressively when they perceive a threat to a VIP.

The Supreme Court Monday unanimously threw out a lawsuit filed by a man who said Secret Service agents arrested him in retaliation for criticizing former Vice President Dick Cheney to his face.

Steven Howards had touched Mr. Cheney on the shoulder during the 2006 encounter in a Colorado shopping mall, then denied doing so when questioned by Secret Service agent Gus Reichle. That gave agents probable cause to arrest Mr. Howard, the court held, in an opinion by Justice Clarence Thomas.

The vote was 8-0. Justice Elena Kagan, who was solicitor general during earlier stages of the case, recused herself.

Under Supreme Court precedent, federal officials can be sued in some circumstances for violating an individual's rights. But the justices have not made it easy, granting "qualified immunity" to officials unless prior case law "clearly established" that they would be liable for their contested acts.