After surviving two assassination attempts in a short span, Donald Trump has pointed out a potential vulnerability in his security detail: limited manpower. During a recent phone interview with Fox News, he commended the Secret Service for their quick response but also emphasized the need for more personnel.
When host Sean Hannity pressed him for his concerns, Trump stated, “We have long requested more people—more men and women—but more people.” He further explained that the size of his rally crowds has made adequate security challenging, saying, “There’s never been anything like it, and we have long requested more people. That’s true. That’s the weakness.”
His comments followed a recent incident at his golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida, where a gunman was spotted near a fenced area and subsequently arrested. This was just weeks after another tragic attempt on his life during a rally in Pennsylvania, which resulted in a fatality.
Trump reiterated his plea for increased security measures, recalling the previous rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where he noted, “we needed more people here for security.” He suggested that improvements might be on the way as he indicated he had heard that they are “getting it now.”
In a show of bipartisan support, President Joe Biden also echoed Trump’s call for bolstered Secret Service resources, stating, “The Secret Service needs more help. I think Congress should respond to their needs,” while expressing relief that Trump was safe.
This breaking news article will be updated.
Paul Sancya/AP Photo