On Tuesday, September 24, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a House bill requiring the U.S. Secret Service to provide security protection at the same level as the current President and Vice President for all major party presidential candidates.
The bill was approved in the House last Friday, September 20, with a vote of 405 to 0. This decision came after former President Trump survived a second assassination attempt the previous week. The bill, titled the “Protect Our Presidents Act,” will be sent to President Biden for final approval to become law.
Led by Florida Senator Rick Scott and 12 Republican colleagues, the bill aims to ensure the safety and security of those seeking to lead the nation. Senator Scott emphasized that the security of those who aspire to lead the country must not be compromised, regardless of party affiliation. The legislation seeks to provide enhanced protection for all future presidential candidates.
According to reports by the BBC, although the exact number of Secret Service agents assigned to the former President is not publicly disclosed, analysis by renowned author Ronald Kessler indicates that around 80 agents are typically responsible for protecting Trump. Current President and Vice President are usually assigned about 300 agents, while only 90 to 100 agents are dedicated to protecting former presidents, including all staff members, which means Trump does not always have a large contingent of agents surrounding him.
The Washington Post reported that in the two years leading up to the attempted assassination of Trump in July, senior Secret Service officials repeatedly rejected additional protection requests submitted by Trump’s security team. Just two months ago, 20-year-old gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks shot Trump in the right ear during a Trump campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, resulting in one fatality among the attendees, while the shooter was killed at the scene.
On Sunday, September 15, Republican presidential candidate Trump faced another assassination attempt at a golf course in Florida. The suspect, 58-year-old Ryan Routh, was apprehended after being intercepted while trying to flee. The incidents highlight the growing concerns around the safety and security of presidential candidates and the need for increased protection measures.