Secret Service Repeatedly Denied Trump Team’s Requests For More Security In Recent Years
KEY FACTS
Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi told The New York Times the agency turned down some requests for additional security for Trump made over the last two years, a reversal from his comments immediately following the shooting, when he called rumors of such denials "an untrue assertion."
Guglielmi said in a statement to the Times on Saturday that while the denials were not specifically related to the Butler, Pennsylvania rally at which Trump was grazed by a bullet last weekend, the Secret Service was, at times, unable to provide the additional requested federal resources and instead relied on state and local law enforcement to fill in the gaps.
Secret Service agents reportedly did not personally sweep the building from which suspected shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks shot at the former president and instead relied on local police to handle security at that location (local law enforcement agencies have in turn blamed a lack of manpower and "extremely poor planning" for the lapses in security).
Guglielmi said the Secret Service has limited resources and agency officials cited a number of issues, including staffing shortages, as reasons to deny requests for additional resources.
Last week, Homeland Security director Alejandro Mayorkas, called the claim security had been denied “a baseless and irresponsible statement and it is one that is unequivocally false.”
Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi told The New York Times the agency turned down some requests for additional security for Trump made over the last two years, a reversal from his comments immediately following the shooting, when he called rumors of such denials "an untrue assertion."
Guglielmi said in a statement to the Times on Saturday that while the denials were not specifically related to the Butler, Pennsylvania rally at which Trump was grazed by a bullet last weekend, the Secret Service was, at times, unable to provide the additional requested federal resources and instead relied on state and local law enforcement to fill in the gaps.
Secret Service agents reportedly did not personally sweep the building from which suspected shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks shot at the former president and instead relied on local police to handle security at that location (local law enforcement agencies have in turn blamed a lack of manpower and "extremely poor planning" for the lapses in security).
Guglielmi said the Secret Service has limited resources and agency officials cited a number of issues, including staffing shortages, as reasons to deny requests for additional resources.
Last week, Homeland Security director Alejandro Mayorkas, called the claim security had been denied “a baseless and irresponsible statement and it is one that is unequivocally false.”
CRUCIAL QUOTE
“In some instances where specific Secret Service specialized units or resources were not provided, the agency made modifications to ensure the security of the protectee,” Guglielmi said in a statement to the Times. “This may include utilizing state or local partners to provide specialized functions or otherwise identifying alternatives to reduce public exposure of a protectee.”
“In some instances where specific Secret Service specialized units or resources were not provided, the agency made modifications to ensure the security of the protectee,” Guglielmi said in a statement to the Times. “This may include utilizing state or local partners to provide specialized functions or otherwise identifying alternatives to reduce public exposure of a protectee.”
KEY BACKGROUND
The role the Secret Service played in a Butler, Pennsylvania shooting that left Trump injured last weekend has been the subject of intense criticism for the last week. Crooks, a 20-year-old, was able to fire eight shots from an AR-15 last Saturday from the roof of a nearby building before he was shot and killed. Since then, more information has emerged about the security lapses that allowed Crooks to get so close to the rally without being stopped, including that the building was being used as a police tactical team staging area and three local police snipers were stationed inside with orders to monitor the rally from the windows. Videos and interviews with rally attendees have since circulated showing audience members at the rally spotted Crooks and attempted to point him out to police before the shots were fired.
The role the Secret Service played in a Butler, Pennsylvania shooting that left Trump injured last weekend has been the subject of intense criticism for the last week. Crooks, a 20-year-old, was able to fire eight shots from an AR-15 last Saturday from the roof of a nearby building before he was shot and killed. Since then, more information has emerged about the security lapses that allowed Crooks to get so close to the rally without being stopped, including that the building was being used as a police tactical team staging area and three local police snipers were stationed inside with orders to monitor the rally from the windows. Videos and interviews with rally attendees have since circulated showing audience members at the rally spotted Crooks and attempted to point him out to police before the shots were fired.
CHIEF CRITICS
A dozen elected officials and public figures have called for Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to resign or be fired over the shooting. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La. and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R.-Ky., are among those who’ve made calls. Cheatle on Thursday said she has no plans to resign.
A dozen elected officials and public figures have called for Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to resign or be fired over the shooting. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La. and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R.-Ky., are among those who’ve made calls. Cheatle on Thursday said she has no plans to resign.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
Cheatle will testify at a highly anticipated House Oversight Committee hearing Monday as lawmakers investigate the agency’s response. The hearing is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. EDT.
Cheatle will testify at a highly anticipated House Oversight Committee hearing Monday as lawmakers investigate the agency’s response. The hearing is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. EDT.
CONTRA
Other reports say the Secret Service had increased protection of Trump ahead of the Pennsylvania rally in response to an Iranian plot to assassinate the former president. News of the foreign plan increased questions as to how a local man was able to evade the reportedly increased security measures and still fire shots at Trump.
Other reports say the Secret Service had increased protection of Trump ahead of the Pennsylvania rally in response to an Iranian plot to assassinate the former president. News of the foreign plan increased questions as to how a local man was able to evade the reportedly increased security measures and still fire shots at Trump.
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