The United States Secret Service explained on Sunday (October 13) the additional security measures taken for former President Trump and stated that Trump’s campaign team had previously requested these measures.
According to The Hill, acting director of the United States Secret Service, Ronald Rowe Jr., stated in a release on Sunday, “The Secret Service is prepared to meet the challenges posed by increased levels of threats faced by former President Trump and other individuals protected by the Secret Service.”
Trump’s campaign team’s co-campaign manager, Susie Wiles, has made several requests to the Secret Service, including providing military aircraft capable of shooting down missiles, armored vehicles, expanding temporary flight restrictions over Trump’s residence and rally sites, among others.
The Secret Service mentioned that following two recent attempted assassinations against the former president, they have implemented some measures as requested by the Trump campaign team as part of strengthening security measures for Trump.
Although some of Trump’s additional requests are being met, the Secret Service noted that some requests “exceed” the agency’s scope of service provision to individuals other than the current president.
However, the Secret Service stated that Trump is receiving the agency’s “highest level of protection” and assured that they will “remain vigilant,” adjusting and enhancing their efforts to “mitigate the constantly evolving threats.”
After Trump and his advisers received briefings from intelligence officials regarding Iran’s plans to target Trump, the request for increased protection measures was made.
On July 13, Trump was attacked in Butler, Pennsylvania, with a bullet piercing the upper part of his right ear.
On September 15, while playing golf at his course in West Palm Beach, Florida, Trump faced another apparent assassination attempt.
On October 13, the day the Secret Service issued the statement regarding increasing Trump’s security measures, the Riverside County Police in California announced the arrest of a Nevada man at a Trump rally checkpoint on Saturday. The individual was found in possession of a hunting rifle, a loaded handgun, high-capacity magazines, and several fake passports. The Riverside County Sheriff indicated that they may have prevented a third assassination attempt against Trump.