Secret Service agents repeatedly refused President Donald Trump’s requests for extra security in the two years before last weekend’s assassination attempt, according to information obtained by The Washington Post.
The 78-year-old former president has requested more agents and magnetometers at large public events he attends, as well as extra snipers at outdoor venues, four insiders told The Washington Post, which first reported the shocking revelation.
The media reported that each request was rejected by government officials who argued that the agencies lacked the resources Trump was seeking.
When 20-year-old gunman Matthew Thomas Crooks opened fire at an outdoor rally for the Republican presidential candidate in Pennsylvania last Saturday, Trump did not enjoy the same level of protection given to former presidents and major party presidential candidates.
As Crooks lay on a rooftop just 130 yards from Trump, he fired seven shots, grazing him in the ear and killing one spectator seated at the back of the stage, and seriously wounding two others.
Frustration over security lapses has prompted the U.S. Marshals Service to raise Trump’s security to the same level as Biden’s, The Washington Post exclusively reported earlier this week.
The Secret Service initially denied claims that anyone from the Trump campaign had requested more help before the deadly shooting as “completely false.”
Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, who came under increasing pressure to resign last week, met with Trump campaign leaders in Wisconsin on Monday and doubled down on her denials, the people said.
But after it became clear that the former president’s security team had major flaws, the CIA changed its tune.
Here is the latest on the assassination attempt against Donald Trump:
Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi confirmed to The Washington Post that the agency had denied Trump’s request for additional security, but insisted that it only learned of the new information after the tragedy.
“The Secret Service’s mission is broad, challenging and complex,” Guglielmi said in a statement. “Every day we operate in a dynamic threat environment to ensure the safety and security of our protected individuals during a wide variety of events, travel and other challenging environments. We execute a comprehensive, layered strategy to balance personnel, technology and specialized operational needs.”
The Secret Service has been heavily criticized for failing to stop Crooks before he opened fire on the former president.
Despite this frightening experience, Trump has continued to campaign, this time with increased security.
At an indoor event in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Saturday, presidential candidate Trump and his new running mate, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, were greeted by about 14,000 enthusiastic supporters and featured an “unprecedented police presence.”
