US authorities reportedly received intelligence about a possible Iranian plot to kill former President Donald Trump before Saturday’s assassination attempt, and Trump’s security detail was reportedly increased in response.
Several people with information about this matter Said CNN reported that while there was awareness of the potential threat (President Trump was under “enhanced security”), there was no known link at this time between 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks and a potential Iranian plot.
Crooks allegedly positioned him on the roof of a nearby building where he could see the former president in person at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday.
Trump survived the assassination attempt, suffering a “penetrating bullet” above his right ear, raising questions about security failings surrounding the incident.
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“The Secret Service learned from this threat stream that there was an escalating threat,” a US official told the outlet, adding that the National Security Council (NSC) had “contacted directly” the US Secret Service “at a senior level” to absolutely ensure that they continued to follow up on the latest reports.
The Secret Service then shared information about a possible Iranian plot to assassinate Trump “with special commanders, and the Trump campaign became aware of the escalating threat,” the official added.
“In response to the increased threat, the Secret Service has increased resources and assets to protect former President Trump,” the official said, “all of this in advance of Saturday.”
Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle told ABC News in an interview that local police were stationed inside the building where Crooks climbed to the roof due to safety concerns about having people on a “sloping roof.”
Before Trump was shot, local police officers reportedly encountered Crooks on the roof, but he climbed down a ladder.
“The officer had his hands up in the air to get onto the roof, but the suspect was facing the officer, so the officer naturally and wisely removed his hands and was unable to get onto the roof,” Butler County Sheriff Michael T. Throop told KDKA-TV reporter Jennifer Bollasso.
