Secret Service Admits It Previously Denied Requests to Enhance Trump Security Measures

The US Secret Service currently acknowledges that, due to personnel shortages and other issues, the agency has actually refused multiple requests from former President Trump to enhance security measures over the past two years.

According to a report from The Washington Post, Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi told the media on Saturday (July 20) that the agency has become aware of some new information indicating that the Secret Service headquarters may have indeed turned down some requests from Trump to increase security measures. The agency is reviewing relevant documents to better understand the specific interactions on this issue between both parties.

The spokesman admitted that in certain situations, if the Secret Service does not provide specialized action personnel, it will rely on state and local law enforcement officers to handle certain security duties.

In a statement provided to The Washington Post on Saturday night, Guglielmi said, “In situations where the Secret Service did not provide specialized units or resources, the agency has made adjustments to ensure the safety of the protectees. This may include utilizing state or local partners to provide specialized functions or identifying alternative approaches to minimize exposure of protectees in public.”

On the evening of July 13, Trump narrowly escaped an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a bullet pierced the upper part of his right ear, leading to the death of one attendee and leaving two others seriously injured.

Following the incident, the Secret Service responsible for protecting Trump has been under scrutiny for security issues at the rally.

Initially, the Secret Service denied accusations of security lapses regarding this incident. Guglielmi stated in a statement the day after the shooting incident, “Claims that a member of the former president’s security team requested increased security resources but was denied by the US Secret Service or the Department of Homeland Security are absolutely false.”

However, after a week of internal investigation, the Secret Service now acknowledges that the agency has rejected requests to enhance Trump’s security measures multiple times over the past two years. Sources familiar with the matter told The Washington Post that senior Secret Service officials declined the requests due to a lack of resources, as the agency has long been plagued by personnel shortages and recruitment restrictions.

“The Secret Service is tasked with a vast, dynamic, and complex mission,” Guglielmi added in Saturday’s statement. “We work in a dynamic threat environment every day to ensure the safety of our protectees in multiple events, travels, and other challenging environments. We implement a comprehensive, layered strategy to balance the needs of personnel, technology, and specialized operations.”