Staff Reports
The Secret Service has made it clear to a bipartisan group of House lawmakers that former President Donald Trump has enjoyed a level of protection nearly equivalent to that of a sitting president—despite an alarming second assassination attempt being thwarted just last Sunday in Florida. Some might say that’s a lot of lip service for a former Commander-in-Chief, but it seems they’re stepping up to the plate after serious threats to his life have been unveiled.
During a briefing about the latest thwarted attempt, which involved an armed man lurking in the bushes around Trump’s golf club, the Secret Service maintained that the security measures had been dramatically enhanced since a previous attempt in July. While some may suggest Trump deserves the same protection as the current president, Representative Jason Crow, a Democrat and a member of the House task force investigating these events, has hinted that the Secret Service is ready to deliver that level of security.
Secret Service tells House task force that Trump already has presidential-level protectionhttps://t.co/PAu5fXcM7f pic.twitter.com/OSa6PRQnOi
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) September 19, 2024
Crow has gone so far as to recap the conversation where it was communicated that President Biden had ordered an uptick in security for both Trump and his Democratic counterpart, Kamala Harris. Needles to say, some Republicans might see this as an outdated sentiment on Biden’s part—a classic case of trying to save face while operating from behind the scenes. Meanwhile, Trump’s supporters are likely clamoring for him to be treated with the same respect as every other leader who has graced the Oval Office.
Interestingly enough, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw has come out swinging, suggesting that had Trump still been in office, the entire golf course would have been cocooned in security, preventing any would-be assassins from even getting close. Instead, the man with the rifle managed to hide for a whopping 12 hours, enough time for the FBI to assess the serious lapses in a security system that some might argue is less than presidential.
Despite lawmakers pushing for a bill to ensure all presidential candidates receive the same protective measures as the sitting president, Representative Mike Kelly, a Republican, acknowledged that even with increased security, expectations may still not be met. Who knew? Apparently, protecting potential presidential candidates isn’t as simple as wrapping an entire golf course in security blankets. Shocking, right?
The diverse venues of the assassination attempts certainly add a layer of complexity. While the first incident erupted in a crowded Pennsylvania rally, the Florida situation unfolded in a more private setting. Attention is being drawn to the contrasting failures of security protocols, with task force members suggesting substantial improvements in procedures have occurred since the Butler rally fiasco. However, as Kelly notes, balancing short-staffed teams against vast expectations is no easy feat for the Secret Service. All of this begs the question: is it too much to expect those entrusted to protect our leaders to actually do so effectively? The unfolding investigation will hopefully shed some light on this pressing question, much to the chagrin of anyone who believes that less-than-stellar security should come with consequences.
