Donald Trump’s campaign has requested increased security measures, including transport by military aircraft and additional security on the ground, following two assassination attempts and ongoing threats from Iran. This includes access to military aircraft with deterrent systems to protect against missiles as Trump travels across the US during the final weeks of the presidential campaign. President Joe Biden has stated that the requests should be fulfilled, as long as they do not include F-15s, and has instructed the department to provide Trump with everything he needs as if he were a sitting president.
Susie Wiles, co-campaign manager for Trump, made the request for enhanced security measures during a call with Biden’s chief of staff and formalized the request with the acting Secret Service Director. The campaign also requested access to Camp David vehicles, other military assets such as drones with thermal monitoring, increased stockpiles of ballistic glass in key swing states, funding for local law enforcement, and additional administrative support from Secret Service headquarters. The Secret Service is now working on formal requests for these resources to be submitted to the Department of Homeland Security and other agencies involved in security.
The Trump campaign is frustrated that the extra protections have not been implemented despite heightened security threats against the former president. Trump’s security team has started implementing new measures, such as changing up his routine and taking different planes to events around the country. There is a lack of faith in the Secret Service following the assassination attempts and denial of certain resources in the past, although concerns are primarily with those at the Secret Service headquarters. Some of the requests made by Trump’s team may not be feasible for any presidential candidate and security resources are determined on a case-by-case basis.
The Secret Service maintains that Trump is receiving the highest levels of protection, with flight restrictions imposed over his residence and while traveling, as well as access to technical security assets. However, the request for additional resources may face legal issues due to constitutional limits on the military operating within the US. The Secret Service has implemented changes since the assassination attempts on Trump, increasing its presence around him, adding members to his detail, and taking extra precautions. They have also brought in agents previously assigned to desk jobs to protect Trump.
Following near-assassination attempts on Trump and ongoing threats, the Secret Service has taken steps to enhance security around the former president. This includes increased presence, additional members on Trump’s detail, and extra precautions such as traveling with a counter assault team. After the July assassination attempt in Pennsylvania, the campaign requested to have an observer in command centers during events to be privy to law enforcement communications and have direct contact with campaign officials. Overall, the requests for enhanced security measures for Trump’s campaign highlight the risks and challenges of protecting high-profile individuals against potential threats.
