Former US president Donald Trump’s aides have asked for ramped-up security measures, including a military aircraft equipped with surface-to-air missiles, ahead of the final leg of the campaign amid threats from Iran.
Trump campaign has even alleged that they are constantly forced to scale back rallies and shorten public engagements as the Secret Service lacks enough resources to facilitate larger ones.
In his recent interview, Trump even accused US President Joe Biden of holding back approval for increased security, saying the president was ‘interfering’ in the elections to help Democratic candidate Kamala Harris win.
“They couldn’t give me any help. And I’m so angry about it because what they’re doing is interfering in the election,” Trump said.
What has Trump requested?
Apart from a military plane, Trump’s allies have requested special armoured vehicles that are usually used by sitting presidents. They have asked the Secret Service to enforce expanded temporary flight restrictions over his rallies and his residences and demanded more money be released to the agency so that it can hire more resources to provide cover to larger events.
Biden, however, told reporters on Friday that he had asked the department to give Trump “every single thing he needs as if he were a sitting president.”
“Give him all that he needs. If it fits within that category, that’s fine. But it doesn’t, he shouldn’t,” he said.
‘Trump already receiving highest protection’
Secret Service said Friday that Trump was already receiving the highest and strongest level of protection.
Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi said the agency “has made comprehensive enhancements to its communications capabilities, resourcing and protective operations” and that Trump “is receiving the highest levels of protection”, following the July 13 assassination attempt.
“Additionally, the former President is receiving the highest level of technical security assets, which include unmanned aerial vehicles, counter unmanned aerial surveillance systems, ballistics and other advanced technology systems,” he said.
Trump narrowly survived one attempt on his life on July 13 whereas the Secret Service foiled another one weeks later. However, neither case has been officially linked to Iranian actors so far.