The director of the Secret Service has told former President Trump that he will need to beef up security for upcoming golf trips following the second assassination attempt, an official familiar with the matter confirmed to The Hill.
Trump met with Interim Secret Service Director Ronald Lowe at his Mar-a-Lago resort on Monday, the day after agents engaged in an assassination attempt on the perimeter of the golf course where the former president plays.
“The Trump administration has been working closely with the government to ensure that the Trump administration is able to continue to provide safe and secure golf courses for the nation,” the spokesman said.
It's unclear whether Trump plans to change the frequency of his golfing in light of Sunday's incident, and he is also expected to increase the number of his weekly campaign events in the final stretch before Election Day.
The New York Times First reportedRegarding conversations and recommendations with the Secret Service.
Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, was charged with two gun offenses on Monday after he was accused of pressing a rifle against a fence around Trump's golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida, and being shot by a Secret Service agent.
The incident comes amid scrutiny of the Secret Service following the assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, and with several Republican lawmakers calling on Monday for the service to increase security for Trump to the same level as President Biden.
Because Biden is the sitting president, the Secret Service has a larger presence, and Trump said Monday evening that more personnel were needed to protect Biden, citing the large turnout at the rally.
Trump is a frequent golfer and Sunday's attack has put security around his golf courses under scrutiny.
The former president regularly played golf on weekends while in office, visiting a club in Sterling, Virginia, and since leaving office he has regularly frequented golf courses in Bedminster, New Jersey, and West Palm Beach, Florida.
Trump describes golf as both a hobby and a form of exercise. He invites donors, lawmakers and professional athletes to his golf clubs. Critics have pointed out: how oftenHe noted that Trump played golf while he was president and criticized former President Barack Obama for playing golf while in the White House.
