Top Secret Service officials reportedly rejected former President Donald Trump’s requests for increased security over the past two years, according to multiple sources.
Four people talked To The Washington Post The people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said agents in charge of Trump’s security have requested that extra agents, “snipers and specialized teams” and equipment such as magnetometers be allocated for outdoor events and large rallies attended by the former president.
Magnetometers are described as “devices that detect magnetic fields” that are used to screen people entering “public events, airports and government buildings.” according to NorthJersey.com.
A source told the outlet that a “senior official” within the Secret Service cited a “lack of resources” as the reason the request was denied.
Secret Service Public Affairs Director Anthony Guglielmi said: statement In a statement on July 14, the group said that “allegations” that President Trump’s security team “requested additional security resources which were denied by the U.S. Secret Service and the Department of Homeland Security” were completely false.
“Indeed, the United States Secret Service recently added protective resources and capabilities to the former president’s security force,” Guglielmi added.
The outlet noted that while the Secret Service had previously denied “rejecting requests” to provide “additional security” for Trump, it now “acknowledges that some may have been denied.”
The Secret Service initially denied having turned down requests for extra security, but now acknowledges that some may have been turned down. Before the revelations, veteran agency officials said the organization was making tough decisions amid competing demands, a growing number of people it was protecting and limited funding.
Following the attempted assassination of President Trump last Saturday when suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, opened fire from the roof of a nearby building, striking President Trump with a “bullet that penetrated the upper part of his right ear,” the Secret Service has faced intense criticism for numerous security lapses at the rally.
Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle said in an interview with ABC News that no agents were on the roof where Crooks was due to “security factors” of having people on a sloping roof.
During a recent Secret Service briefing with senators, it was revealed that Crooks had been identified as a “threat” by the agency 10 minutes before Trump took the stage.
