As the 2024 presidential campaign intensifies, Donald Trump's team has made unusual demands for military protection, including requests for travel in military aircraft and vehicles. According to reports, the former president's campaign has also sought increased flight restrictions around his residences and rallies, along with ballistic glass installations in key battleground states. These requests were reported by The Washington Post, following an initial report from The New York Times.
The requests, which sources have described as "extraordinary and unprecedented," highlight growing security concerns around Trump, particularly after two failed assassination attempts earlier this year. The demands for military resources—usually reserved for sitting presidents—come amid intelligence reports that suggest Iran may be targeting Trump for assassination. The Trump campaign has voiced worries about potential drone and missile threats.
Susie Wiles, Trump's campaign manager, recently expressed dissatisfaction with the Secret Service, claiming that the agency's personnel shortages had forced Trump to cancel a rally and placed him in vulnerable situations. Wiles emphasized the need for stronger safety measures as Trump plans to hold more campaign events in the final weeks of the race.
Florida Representative Michael Waltz, a Trump ally, also reached out to the Secret Service, requesting military aircraft for Trump's campaign or enhanced protection for his private jet. In response, the Secret Service confirmed that Trump is receiving the "highest levels of protection," which includes assistance from the Department of Defense, canine units, and advanced surveillance systems.
Despite these heightened precautions, some members of Trump's team believe that the two assassination attempts, though unproven, may be linked to Iran. In August, a Pakistani man with ties to Iran was charged with plotting to hire hitmen to target a U.S. politician. Additionally, U.S. intelligence officials revealed that Iranian hackers had accessed information from Trump's campaign, further escalating concerns.
President Joe Biden, when asked about the situation, affirmed his administration's commitment to ensuring Trump receives all necessary security resources, remarking that Trump should be treated "as if he were a sitting president" in terms of protection.
Biden did, however, inject some humor into the conversation, jokingly adding, "As long as he doesn’t ask for F-15s," before clarifying that he was being facetious.
As the campaign season draws to a close, these unprecedented security measures underscore the volatile nature of the current political climate and the growing concerns surrounding the safety of major candidates.
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