Increased Security for Trump Amid Iranian Threats
The Secret Service has significantly increased protection for former President Donald Trump following credible threats from Iran. According to multiple sources, including CNN and other American media, the threats stem from the 2020 drone strike that killed Gen. Qassem Soleimani, a high-ranking Iranian military leader. The US government has long been concerned about possible retaliation from Iran, and recent intelligence has heightened these fears.
Three former Trump administration officials—Matthew Pottinger, Victoria Coates, and Robert Greenway—have also requested additional protection due to similar threats. In a letter to the Justice Department, they expressed concerns about their safety and that of their families, citing specific threats from Iran and its supporters. The letter mentioned an IRGC video that explicitly threatened former US officials, including the three advisers, with assassination.
Congressional Intervention and Secret Service Response
The Justice Department initially did not receive the letter from the former officials, leading members of Congress to intervene. Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio contacted the Justice Department, which then referred the matter to the Secret Service. Despite these efforts, Coates reported that they had not received a response from the Secret Service as of yet.
In addition to the threats against Trump and his former advisers, other officials from the Trump administration, such as John Bolton and Mike Pompeo, have also been targeted by Iran. The National Security Council has emphasized the importance of addressing these threats, calling it a matter of national and internal security.
The recent assassination attempt on Trump during a meeting in Pennsylvania has further intensified scrutiny on the Secret Service. Although no links between the shooter and any foreign or domestic accomplices were found, the incident has raised questions about the adequacy of current security measures.
- The Secret Service has been under heavy criticism following the recent assassination attempt on Trump. The incident has prompted an independent investigation requested by President Joe Biden, aiming to understand how a shooter could get so close to the former president.
- Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi stated that the agency constantly receives information about potential threats and adjusts its resources accordingly. However, he declined to comment on specific threats, emphasizing that the Secret Service takes all threats seriously and responds appropriately.
- The Department of Homeland Security has yet to respond to inquiries about the additional security measures implemented in recent weeks.
