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Trump's campaign has called for the use of military planes and vehicles in the final weeks of the race amid concerns that Iran is plotting to kill the former president.
Donald Trump survived two recent assassination attempts and his officials called for a series of additional protections during the final month of the campaign, according to sources familiar with the matter.
This includes travel on military jets, extra flight restrictions over their homes and events, and pre-positioning ballistic glass in battleground states for outdoor rallies.
The requests are unprecedented for a presidential candidate.
But sources say this would simply correspond to the protection afforded the president or that given to Ukrainian President Volodymr. Zelensky flew a C-17 military plane during his recent visit.
Former President Donald Trump is seen here banging on bullet-resistant glass after speaking at a campaign event at the Butler Farm Show. He speaks from behind protective screens after surviving an assassination attempt in July
President Joe Biden was asked about the order on Friday. He said he authorized security for Trump as if he were a sitting president, and if Trump's request falls into that category, it should be granted.
Trump insiders are particularly concerned about the threat from drones or missiles.
The requests were made by campaign manager Susie Wiles to the head of the Secret Service early to late last month and were first reported by the New York Times.
They came after Trump was forced to cancel a public event in Wisconsin, swapping it for a news conference in a smaller venue limited to journalists, due to a shortage of Secret Service agents.
There is no evidence that the two assassination attempts were linked to Iran.
But last month the Trump campaign revealed it had been briefed on the threat from Tehran.
“Great threats to my life from Iran,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. “All US military personnel are watching and waiting.
'There have already been actions taken by Iran that have not worked, but they will try again.'
Since then, a Pakistani national has been charged in connection with a “murder for hire” plot to assassinate a politician or government official.
One option would be to fly Trump in a C-17. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wore one when he visited Pennsylvania during his recent trip to the US.
Other options include flying with Trump in one of the modified 747s that serve as Air Force One.
FBI Director Christopher Wray said this was “straight out of the Iranian regime’s playbook.”
Trump spokeswoman Danielle Alvarez declined to comment on the requests except to say that the former president frequently praised the work of his Secret Service detail.
Trump ally Rep. Mike Waltz has taken up the cause. He has written to the Secret Service, the Department of Homeland Security, the White House and the Department of Defense, according to a source familiar with the matter.
Options include flying Trump in a C-17 military plane or in one of the retrofitted 747s that operate as Air Force One. They are equipped with electronic countermeasures to jam hostile weapons systems, as well as chaff and flares for missile defense.
Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said Trump was already receiving “the highest level of protection.”
“Department of Defense assistance is provided regularly for the protection of the former president, including explosive ordnance disposal, canine units and airlift,” he said.
