The U.S. Secret Service has called on Congress for additional resources in the wake of two attempted assassinations of former President Donald Trump. Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe, who took over after the resignation of Kimberly Cheatle in July 2024, acknowledged the agency's shortcomings and emphasized the need for enhanced funding to bolster the agency’s ability to protect high-profile individuals. This comes after a gunman was able to nearly assassinate Trump at a golf course in Florida earlier this month.
During a press conference, Rowe praised the agents who thwarted the recent attempt but stressed that more resources are essential for the agency to operate at full capacity. "We need to make sure we’re getting the Secret Service where it needs to be," Rowe stated, indicating that tough discussions with Congress are necessary to ensure future success. He further noted that in the agency's line of work, failure is not an option.
They missed me again. The 2nd Trump assassination attempt on my life. I want to thank the secret service for neutralizing the threat at record time. NEVER SURRENDER!
By 😢😢😢@realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/zLyOVjLW0n— World life (@seautocure) September 15, 2024
The most recent assassination attempt on Trump occurred on a golf course in Florida, where a shooter was reportedly apprehended before shots could be fired. This marks the second attempt on Trump's life in less than three months. In July, Trump was shot in the ear at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. That attempt resulted in the death of one bystander and injuries to several others. These incidents have led to increased scrutiny of the Secret Service, with critics, including lawmakers, questioning how such breaches in security could occur).
In response to the growing concerns, President Joe Biden voiced his support for bolstering the Secret Service's capabilities. He emphasized the importance of Congress providing the agency with the necessary resources. Biden's administration is considering additional measures, including an independent review to assess the agency’s security protocols.
/1🚨SUING SECRET SERVICE🚨
We just sued the Secret Serice and DHS for illegally concealing records regarding the first assassination attempt of President Trump, such as:
🔎Potential staff shortages
🔎Hiring standards
🔎Communications from Mayorkas and key gov’t officials pic.twitter.com/xHWFeKudff— America First Legal (@America1stLegal) September 19, 2024
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer echoed Biden's sentiments, indicating that more resources could be provided in an upcoming funding agreement. "If the Secret Service is in need of more resources, we are prepared to provide them," Schumer said.
House Republicans have also taken a firm stance on the matter, with Speaker Mike Johnson calling for an urgent evaluation of the agency’s performance and resources. Johnson emphasized that Trump, as one of the most targeted individuals in recent history, requires the highest level of protection.
The Secret Service’s failures have sparked bipartisan discussions in Congress about the agency's operational challenges. While Rowe claimed that the failure in July was not directly related to funding shortages, lawmakers from both parties have pushed for an increase in security allocations. This push for more resources comes just weeks before Congress is set to finalize its fiscal year budget, adding urgency to the debate.
The heightened threat environment for political figures in the U.S. raises questions about the future of security measures for high-profile officials, particularly in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election. With Trump being the GOP's frontrunner, security concerns are expected to remain a top priority for both parties.
