In the wake of the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, a bipartisan group of lawmakers is pushing for enhanced Secret Service protection for all major presidential candidates. Reps. Ritchie Torres (D-NY) and Mike Lawler (R-NY) announced plans to introduce legislation aimed at increasing security measures for President Joe Biden, Trump, and independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The proposed bill comes after Trump narrowly escaped serious injury at a rally in Pennsylvania, where a gunman shot him in the ear. The attack also resulted in the death of Corey Comperatore and left two others critically injured. The Secret Service has faced criticism for how the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, managed to access a rooftop and fire at Trump from 150 yards away.
“Last night’s attempted assassination of former President Trump was a dark moment in our nation’s history. As reports continue to emerge, it’s clear that more protection is needed for all major candidates for president,” Torres and Lawler said in a statement. “That’s why we’re planning on introducing bipartisan legislation providing President Joe Biden, former President Donald Trump, and presidential candidate Robert Kennedy Jr. with enhanced Secret Service protection. Anything less would be a disservice to our democracy.”
The Secret Service’s response to the attack has been scrutinized, with Homeland Security Committee Chairman Rep. Mark Green (R-TN) demanding answers from Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Green noted reports suggesting that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had denied multiple requests from Trump’s security detail for increased protection in the weeks leading up to the attack.
In response to these claims, Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi refuted the allegations. “There was an untrue assertion that a member of the former President’s team requested additional security resources & that those were rebuffed. This is absolutely false. In fact, we added protective resources & technology & capabilities as part of the increased campaign travel tempo,” Guglielmi posted on X.
The proposed legislation also addresses the concerns of RFK Jr., who has been denied Secret Service protection despite his requests. Kennedy’s family history includes the assassinations of his father, U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, and his uncle, President John F. Kennedy, heightening his concerns for his own safety while campaigning.
As the nation grapples with the implications of the recent attack on Trump, the call for enhanced security measures for all presidential candidates underscores the importance of safeguarding the democratic process. The proposed bill aims to ensure that candidates receive the protection they need to campaign safely and effectively.
