The United States Secret Service has admitted to turning down requests for additional security resources to protect former President Donald Trump before his attempted assassination last week in Butler, Pennsylvania. The denial of requests for additional federal security assets was acknowledged by Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi, who stated that the requests were not specifically for the rally where the attack took place. The Secret Service works in a “dynamic threat environment” and has to adapt to ensure the security of the protectee, Guglielmi said.
There have been accusations and criticism of the Secret Service for rejecting requests for more resources prior to the assassination attempt. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle is due to face a hearing with the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability amid the criticism. The agency has faced criticism for its handling of the situation, with calls for Cheatle’s resignation, although the Secret Service has stated that she has no intention to resign.
The Secret Service is under investigation for its handling of the situation, including questions about how the attacker was able to roam freely and climb onto a building’s roof despite warnings from civilians. There have been concerns about insufficient metal detectors and denial of requests for specially trained dogs to search event areas. Requests for additional security resources were often denied over the phone, according to an unnamed Trump campaign official. The Secret Service has faced criticism for not holding news conferences or briefings, further fueling the controversy surrounding the handling of the assassination attempt.
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