Secret Service Confesses to Rejecting Trump Campaign’s Pleas for Enhanced Security

The acknowledgement comes about a week after the assassination attempt on Trump at a Pennsylvania campaign rally.

REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. — The Secret Service has admitted to refusing some requests for increased security at Donald Trump’s events before an assassination attempt on him.

Initially, the agency denied such rejections following the July 13 attack. However, a week later, they confirmed the denial of some security increase requests around the former president.

This admission will likely dominate a congressional hearing on Monday. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle is set to testify before lawmakers who are outraged by the security breaches that allowed a 20-year-old gunman to fire from a nearby rooftop at Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Trump was wounded in the right ear. One rally attendee was killed, and two others were injured during the incident.

Anthony Guglielmi, the agency’s chief spokesperson, released a statement on Saturday explaining their operational decisions. “We work in a dynamic threat environment to ensure the safety of our protectees,” he told The Washington Post. The newspaper first reported the agency’s reversal, citing detailed questions posed to the Secret Service.

Guglielmi emphasized their comprehensive strategy employing personnel, technology, and other specialized needs. He mentioned that the agency sometimes relies on state and local law enforcement when specialized units are unavailable.

He stated, “In cases where specific Secret Service resources were not provided, the agency made modifications, including utilizing state or local partners to ensure protectee security.”

After the assassination attempt, Guglielmi initially denied that additional security requests were rebuffed. On social media, he asserted, “This is absolutely false.” He claimed they had enhanced protective resources and capabilities given the increased campaign travel.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas labeled the incident a “failure,” with some lawmakers demanding Cheatle’s resignation. Despite this, Cheatle retains the support of President Joe Biden and Mayorkas.

Biden, running against Trump’s potential second term, has ordered an independent investigation. The Homeland Security Department and a congressional committee are also conducting probes.

Trump stated he received no warnings about a suspicious person prior to his stage appearance in Pennsylvania. Some rallygoers reported seeing the gunman on the roof and alerted law enforcement before Trump appeared.

In a Fox News interview airing Monday, Trump said, “No one mentioned any problems” before the gunman opened fire. He criticized the security lapses, questioning how the gunman accessed the roof unnoticed.

“People saw him on the roof,” Trump noted, questioning why no action was taken. Local officers had identified the man as suspicious and circulated his photo, with witnesses reporting him scaling the building.