The US Secret Service has acknowledged “complacency” in its handling of security during two apparent assassination attempts against former President Donald Trump.
The agency, responsible for protecting presidential candidates, admitted to communication flaws during a rally in Pennsylvania where a gunman shot at Trump and killed a spectator. Following another attempted attack in Florida, the Secret Service described the country as being in a “hyperdynamic threat environment.”
Acting director Ronald Rowe stated that since the Pennsylvania shooting, presidential candidates have received the same level of protection as President Joe Biden. Rowe emphasized that the threat environment faced by the Secret Service is constant and significant.
During the Pennsylvania rally, Trump’s ear was injured by gunfire, and he was quickly escorted offstage by agents. An internal review revealed “communication deficiencies” among law enforcement officials on-site and an overreliance on mobile devices for sharing critical information instead of using their radio network.
Just days ago, Trump was allegedly targeted again while golfing at his club in West Palm Beach. Secret Service agents spotted an alleged gunman with a rifle before he could shoot and apprehended him later on.
The agency has increased protection measures but called for additional resources to transition from reaction to readiness. President Biden has expressed support for allocating more funding to the Secret Service through Congress.
