US President Joe Biden has ordered the Pentagon to provide security for Donald Trump, giving him the level of protection provided for sitting presidents. This decision was made in response to the request of the Trump campaign headquarters due to threats from Iran. The problem arose due to insufficient numbers of Secret Service agents, which forced Trump to postpone or cancel events.
According to The New York Times, on October 11, Trump's staff asked the White House and the Secret Service to increase security measures due to the increased danger to the candidate. In particular, the Trump campaign's senior adviser, Susie Wiles, called for additional protections, including the use of military resources.
According to the sources, Trump's campaign headquarters requested the use of military assets, which are usually used to protect sitting presidents. The headquarters demanded bulletproof glass at rallies and expanded restrictions on flights in the airspace over Trump's residences. At the same time, Congressman Michael Waltz asked the Secret Service to provide Trump with military aircraft or to strengthen the protection of his private plane. Former US officials note that such demands are unprecedented.
Ben LaBolt, the White House communications director, said Biden had instructed the Secret Service to provide the highest level of protection for Trump. Secret Service officials also confirmed that they are working with the Pentagon to ensure the security of the former US president.
The Washington Post reports that security measures have been stepped up after US intelligence warned that Iran continues to plot to assassinate Trump. Although the Federal Bureau of Investigation does not yet have evidence of Iran's connection to the two recent assassination attempts on Trump, the FBI is not ruling out the possibility.
What are the threats to Trump?
The headquarters of Donald Trump said that there are real threats to the life of the US presidential candidate from the Republican Party coming from Iran. US intelligence officials allegedly warned Trump about this. Law enforcement officers are working to ensure the safety of the former US president.
It will be recalled that the first attempt on Trump took place on July 13 during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. Then several shots rang out and the politician was wounded in the ear. The shooter, who turned out to be 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was killed by a representative of the special services. During the attack, one of the spectators was killed, and two others were seriously injured. The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) hacked the cell phone of Thomas Matthew Crooks. Law enforcement officers also checked Crooks' computer, car and home, interviewing more than 100 of his acquaintances. But it did not help to understand the motives of the attacker.