The Secret Service has confirmed that it denied certain requests for additional security resources made by former President Donald Trump over the past two years. An official with the agency provided this information to NBC News, following an initial denial of such claims. The Washington Post first reported the Secret Service’s revised position.
According to the Secret Service, the denial of extra security measures was due to limited resources within the agency. The requests that were not fulfilled did not relate to the July 13 shooting at former President Donald Trump’s Pennsylvania rally, during which former President Donald Trump was injured, one person was killed, and two others were critically wounded.
Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi explained that when specific specialized units or resources could not be provided, the agency made adjustments to ensure the protection of former President Donald Trump. These adjustments included collaborating with state or local partners to provide necessary functions or finding alternative ways to minimize public exposure of the former president.
Guglielmi’s admission marks a significant change from his previous statements. Just a week earlier, he had asserted that claims of the Secret Service rejecting former President Donald Trump’s security requests were “absolutely false.”
The Secret Service has faced heightened scrutiny following the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. Lawmakers are demanding explanations for any security lapses that may have allowed a gunman to position himself on a rooftop 148 yards from former President Donald Trump, open fire at the rally, and graze former President Donald Trump’s ear.
Top Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, have called for the resignation of Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle. Cheatle, however, has expressed her intent to remain in her position. House Intelligence Committee chair Rep. Mike Turner has been vocal in demanding her dismissal, asserting that President Biden should take action. Turner is expected to question Cheatle this week in several hearings on Capitol Hill, focusing on the failures in security protocols that led to the rally shooting.
