Staff Reports
In a recent swarm of political drama, former President Donald Trump did what he does best: he took a swing at the Secret Service, targeting its now ex-Director Kimberly Cheatle. Cheatle’s resignation came after bipartisan criticism of the agency’s security performance—performance so lackluster that it nearly cost Trump his life. This situation spiraled quickly into a blame game, with Trump attributing the security snafu to both Cheatle and the inept Biden administration, making it clear he wasn’t about to take the fall for their failures.
Trump’s frustrations were somewhat colorful, to say the least. He asserted that his protection team consistently lacked adequate personnel, claiming that on-site Secret Service agents were left hanging after putting in requests for more staff. Apparently, those requests were met with the typical bureaucratic shrug that the Biden administration is known for. The irony here is rich; America is expected to think our former president should have had enough agents at his rallies to fend off a would-be assassin, but the Biden team was busy trying to figure out which gender-neutral bathroom to install next.
In what could only be described as a post-defensive play, a spokesperson for the Secret Service pushed back, insisting that Trump wasn’t denied the extra protection he claims. They cited a dazzling array of newly minted technology and enhanced capabilities that supposedly rolled out to ensure his safety. But somehow, it seems that rhetoric doesn’t quite match reality; local law enforcement was used as a Band-Aid for the gaps in protection whenever the Secret Service was stretched too thin. Forget the fancy gadgets for a moment—how about just keeping a tight lid on security?
Washington Examiner: Trump responds to Secret Service director quitting with tale of taking ‘bullet for democracy’ https://t.co/JCpHuN4RH9
— Ian Hansen 🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@IanHansenFeed) July 23, 2024
Despite his frustrations, Trump did wave a flag of appreciation for some of the agents involved in his detail. However, he didn’t let the Biden administration off the hook. Trump declared, in his characteristic bombastic style, that the current leadership failed to shield him from danger, claiming he had to stand in the line of fire in the name of democracy. It’s always amusing when Trump brings up “taking a bullet” for the cause—it embodies that signature bravado where he intersects self-sacrifice with a hefty dose of self-promotion.
Things seem to be looking up for Trump post-crisis, as he’s already crowing about crowds historically bigger than anything anyone has ever seen before. Who wouldn’t want a front-row seat to that spectacle? According to the former president, this “big improvement” means he now deserves the royal treatment when it comes to security. All of this seems to suggest that the lesson learned here is simple: if one is going to step into the political arena and potentially face down a threat, they better come equipped with an army rather than a couple of stragglers and some nifty tech.
