The U.S. Secret Service has come under scrutiny following a Washington Post report that revealed top officials had “repeatedly” denied requests for additional security measures for former President Donald Trump’s detail. This report comes in the aftermath of an assassination attempt on Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, where he was shot while speaking at a rally.
The gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, had been observed by attendees before the shooting occurred. The Post report indicated that Trump’s security detail had requested resources such as magnetometers and additional personnel to screen guests in the past, but these requests were denied by senior officials citing lack of resources.
In response to the report, the Secret Service released a statement emphasizing their commitment to ensuring the safety of protectees in a dynamic threat environment. They stated that even if a request is denied, the agency works to find alternative solutions to enhance security.
Former President Trump, in an interview with Fox News Channel, expressed his surprise at not being warned about the gunman despite attendees alerting security about a man on the roof with a gun before the shooting. Trump questioned why action was not taken earlier to prevent the incident.
The incident has raised questions about the effectiveness of the Secret Service’s security protocols and their response to potential threats. The agency’s handling of security requests and their communication with protectees will likely be under further scrutiny in the wake of this report.
