Former President Donald Trump's campaign has requested additional security measures similar to what a sitting president would receive amid growing threats against the former president's life, a source familiar with the matter told NBC News.
Late last month, Trump campaign co-manager Susie Wiles asked White House chief of staff Jeff Giants to provide the administration with military assets, including armored vehicles, in-flight protection and temporary airspace restrictions. , among other security measures, said the source. he said
When Giants got the call, he immediately connected Wiles to Homeland Security and Secret Service leadership so he had a direct line, a source familiar with the call said. The Giants also clarified that President Joe Biden ordered the Secret Service to provide the highest level of protection to Trump, the source said.
A subsequent letter from Wiles to Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Roe, reviewed by NBC News, confirmed several of the campaign's requests. The letter argues that Trump's ability to campaign was limited by security threats.
According to two US officials, the Trump campaign also requested the deployment of special forces members to protect Trump. A source with knowledge of the matter denied this and said Secret Service officials, not the Trump campaign, asked the special operations force to be specifically tasked with thwarting a potential drone strike. The campaign declined to comment.
Trump has faced two alleged assassination attempts in recent months — one in July at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where the shooter was killed, and a second last month when the Secret Service spotted a man with a firearm on the perimeter. of Trump Golf Course in West Palm Beach, Florida. The former president, who was playing golf at the time, was evacuated safely.
Trump was also briefed by intelligence officials on the matter of death threats from Iran, his campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said last month. Some campaign staffers were also briefed on the Iranian threat, said the source familiar with Wiles' contact with the Giants.
Since the threat, the Trump campaign has used additional tactics and evasive tactics and is trying to be less predictable in its movements, the source said. Additionally, Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., a Trump ally, requested that the former president's campaign be authorized to use threat detection and deterrence aircraft such as the Boeing C-17 or C-32, also known as “the-. “blue and white,” which is worn by the vice president as well as members of the Cabinet and Congress. Another possibility is restoring Trump's private jet — an option the source said would be less likely with the election less than a month away.
The requests were met with inaction for weeks, the source said.
A Secret Service spokesperson responded to that claim.
“Since the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump on July 13, the U.S. Secret Service has greatly improved its communications capabilities, resources and protective operations,” said the agency’s communications chief, Anthony Guglielmi, in a communicated. “Today, the former president receives the highest level of protection.”
Additionally, the Defense Department regularly provides security support to Trump, including “explosive ordnance disposal, canine units and airlift,” Guglielmi said.
The Secret Service also took other measures, including temporarily banning flights at Trump's residence and during his travels, Guglielmi said. The former president is “protected by unmanned aerial vehicles, unmanned aerial surveillance systems, ballistics and other advanced technology systems,” he said.
A defense official told NBC News that “the department continues to provide increased assistance to the U.S. Secret Service” for presidential and vice-presidential candidates. Another source said Trump is receiving the same level of protection as Biden, so the campaign shouldn't expect much more.
Both the Pentagon and the Secret Service are concerned that providing more goods would violate federal laws that limit military use to domestic purposes, two officials told NBC News.
In August, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin approved a request from the Department of Homeland Security to increase support for candidates for positions across the country. Under the supervision of U.S. Northern Command, this support to the Secret Service includes providing explosives experts and technicians who can detect and defend against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats, as well as providing communications and transportation support. This is similar to support provided for political conventions and other important events, but may include additional capabilities.
