Can Secret Service protect Trump? Pressure increases after second assassination attempt

The United States Secret Service was already confronting a period of turmoil after a 20-year-old Pennsylvanian made an attempt on former President Donald Trump’s life this summer. But a second attempt, at Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach on Sunday, deepened questions and concerns over whether the agency is up to the task of defending the country’s leaders, now facing an unprecedented number of threats.

Twice in two months, would-be assassins have succeeded in bringing long guns within hundreds of yards of the former president — a range and style of weapon that would make a kill shot entirely feasible.

While the Pennsylvania shooter was able to take a shot at Trump, grazing his head with a bullet, it was not immediately clear to law enforcement on Sunday whether the Florida gunman was able to fire any rounds. All the agency could say publicly in the initial hours after the incident was that its agents had fired upon the would-be assailant after seeing the barrel of his rifle poking out from bushes ahead of where Trump was playing on the front-9 of his course.

Within hours of the event, a bipartisan group of lawmakers leading a task force investigating the first assassination attempt requested a briefing from the Secret Service on the second attempt on Trump’s life, issuing a statement with a measure of reserve and alarm.

“We are thankful that the former president was not harmed,” the chair and ranking member said, “but remain deeply concerned about political violence and condemn it in all forms.”

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At a press conference detailing the incident on Sunday afternoon, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw suggested Trump would be receiving more security if he were still the sitting president — despite the most recent attack in Butler, Pa. and him being a candidate for the office in the fall.

“He’s not the sitting president,” Bradshaw said. “If he was, we would’ve had the entire golf course surrounded. Because he’s not, the security is limited to areas the Secret Service deems possible.”

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Pressed on why a second attempt on Trump’s life was even possible, a Secret Service representative at the press conference noted that “the threat level is high.”

“We have increased the amount of assets we have supported,” he added. “We live in dangerous times.”

Increased security

After the Butler shooting, the Secret Service did increase the former president’s detail, adding manpower to include additional tactical and counter-sniper capabilities. Trump has scaled back his number of outdoor events, despite being at the height of campaign season, and now speaks within a cocoon of bulletproof glass when he does address crowds outside.

The agency also added assets and new protocols around the current president and vice president, Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee facing Trump in the November election.

“I’m not able to go out in the crowds anymore — the Secret Service doesn’t let me,” President Joe Biden told reporters earlier this month. “They said because it’s too dangerous. No one gets to go out.”

It is unclear whether Trump has been cautioned over any potential security risks with using his golf club, a championship-sized course that spans 7,326 yards and 27 holes.

But lawmakers are already expressing frustration at the suggestion that Trump could be receiving less security just because he is no longer in office.

“At this point, the man’s already been shot,” said U.S. Rep. Carlos Giménez, a South Florida Republican who visited the Butler shooting site along with other members of Congress back in July. “He barely escaped with his life. He is a candidate for president of the United States, he is a former president, and that’s the excuse you give? If he were president you’d protect him better? That’s inexcusable.”

Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, an ally of Trump who spoke with him shortly after the incident, wrote on social media that fundamental change would be required of the Secret Service going forward.

“It is imperative that we move Secret Service out from under the Department of Homeland Security and back to the Treasury Department, where they had more focus,” Graham said. “It is time to increase resources.”