Secret Service under fire: Trump security requests denied before assassination attempt
Secret Service (USSS) officials rejected requests from Donald Trump's security staff to increase personnel and equipment during events in which he participated, even before the attempted assassination in Pennsylvania. They justified this decision by citing limited resources.
Initially, the USSS denied these allegations. However, "The Washington Post," citing four people familiar with the matter, reported on Saturday that top Secret Service officials repeatedly rejected requests to provide additional resources and staff, which the Republican presidential candidate's security detail had requested in the two years preceding the Pennsylvania rally.
According to former USSS employees, the agency was forced to make tough decisions due to growing demands, an increasing list of protected individuals, staffing shortages, and limited funds.
None of the rejected requests that "The Washington Post" investigated referred to the event in Pennsylvania. The refusal that most concerned Trump’s officials was related to a rally in South Carolina in July 2023.
- The Secret Service extends the highest level of protection to current presidents and officials. Former presidents receive a significantly lesser degree of Secret Service protection, but Trump’s high profile and daily routines make him a different kind of security challenge than most former presidents, according to former Secret Service agents – the Washington daily noted.
It added that refusals – in response to written requests – led to long-term tensions, resulting in Trump, his top associates, and security personnel clashing with the Secret Service leadership. The former president’s advisers fear that the USSS still does not provide him with sufficient protection.
Attempted assassination on Trump
On 13 July, a 20-year-old attacker managed to fire shots from an AR-15 rifle from the roof of a building located about 150 metres from Trump during a pre-election rally. The Republican was shot in the ear. One of the event’s participants was killed, and two others were seriously injured.
The USSS became the subject of criticism. Calls for the resignation of its chief, Kimberly Cheatle, were made. Investigations, including in the US Congress, were also announced.
