Senior officials in the Secret Service have allegedly rejected requests to enhance security for former President Donald Trump over the last two years, as per multiple sources. According to four individuals who spoke to the Washington Post anonymously, agents responsible for Trump’s security detail had supposedly requested additional agents, snipers, specialty teams, and equipment like magnetometers for outdoor events and large public gatherings attended by the ex-president.
A magnetometer is a device used to detect magnetic fields and is commonly utilized to screen individuals at public events, airports, and government buildings. The sources indicated that high-ranking officials in the Secret Service claimed a shortage of resources as the reason for denying these requests.
Chief of Communications for the Secret Service Anthony Guglielmi issued a statement on July 14 saying “the assertation” that Trump’s security team had asked to be given “additional security resources that the U.S. Secret Service or the Department of Homeland Security rebuffed is absolutely false.”
“In fact, recently the U.S. Secret Service added protective resources and capabilities to the former President’s security detail,” Guglielmi added.
The outlet noted that after the Secret Service had previously denied “turning down requests” to provide Trump with “additional security,” they are “now acknowledging some may have been rejected”:
“The Secret Service, after initially denying turning down requests for additional security, is now acknowleding some may have been rejected. The revelation comes as agency veterans say the organization has been forced to make difficult decisions amid competing demands, a growing list of protectees and limited funding.”
Following the assassination attempt on Trump last Saturday, where he was shot in the right ear by a bullet fired by Thomas Matthew Crooks, the Secret Service has come under heavy scrutiny for security lapses at the rally.
In an interview with ABC News, Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle explained that there were no agents on the roof where Crooks was positioned due to safety concerns related to the sloped surface. Additionally, during a briefing with senators, it was disclosed that Crooks had been flagged as a threat by the agency just 10 minutes before Trump’s appearance.
