The Secret Service’s security measures are raising questions about the president’s safety, especially following an incident where Trump faced Code Pink protesters at a Washington, D.C., restaurant without sufficient protection.
“I’m quite worried about the president’s safety,” said Tom Fitton from Judicial Watch.
He noted that Trump was nearly harmed twice while supposedly under Secret Service protection and added that the location chosen for his September visit to Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab could have turned into a dangerous situation.
For three months, various watchdog groups have been trying to uncover how protesters managed to get advance notice of Trump’s whereabouts. This event was supposedly meant to showcase the city’s improved federal security.
Fitton pointed out that protesters were allowed to come alarmingly close to the president, potentially wielding knives. “No one knew what else was happening in that restaurant,” he remarked.
Chris Swecker, a former FBI Assistant Director, called the situation “an incredible security flaw.” He added, “It seems implausible to let random people sit so close without proper precautions,” likening it to historical security oversights.
Judicial Watch has filed a lawsuit in federal court looking for all internal communications from the Secret Service about the presence of the Code Pink protesters during the incident.
The request includes all emails exchanged between Secret Service personnel and Code Pink representatives.
Court documents reveal that the government missed a December 9 deadline to provide information under the Freedom of Information Act.
On September 9, President Trump was dining with key officials when protesters inside and outside the restaurant voiced their opposition, drawing comparisons to historical figures like Hitler.
While no protesters faced charges for violence, Fitton expressed concern that individuals with insider information about the president’s movements posed a significant risk to his safety.
After the disturbance began, Trump’s security team was seen relaying instructions, indicating that the president may need to address the nearby protesters himself.
During the 2024 campaign, Trump survived two assassination attempts, raising alarms about security practices. One incident occurred in July in Butler, Pennsylvania, and another at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida, in September. A House select committee later noted that inexperienced staff members were unclear about their responsibilities.
Judicial Watch is also requesting documents from the Secret Service concerning these security breaches.
When Trump dined at Joe’s, reports indicated that the protesters made a reservation and managed to occupy a table close by for over an hour before they were removed.
In a separate alarming event, the Secret Service failed to detect a guest who brought a Glock handgun to Trump National Golf Club during the president’s stay.
Agents manually searched bags for threats while guests carried their firearms onto the course.
A spokesperson for the Secret Service insisted the agency takes security seriously, noting that all locations have multiple layers of protection and claiming that no armed individuals were in proximity to the president at any point.
They also mentioned that all restaurant patrons underwent security checks prior to Trump’s arrival but declined to comment further on the lawsuit.
