A threat from Iran prompted the U.S. Secret Service to increase protection around Donald Trump prior to Saturday’s attempted assassination, which appears to be unrelated to the original threat, as per two U.S. officials.
Upon receiving information about the threat, the Biden administration alerted senior officials at the Secret Service, who then informed the lead agent responsible for Trump’s protection and the Trump campaign. This led to a surge in resources and assets to safeguard Trump. The officials requested anonymity to discuss classified intelligence matters.
Despite the additional measures taken, Saturday’s attack at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania still occurred, resulting in Trump sustaining an injury to the ear, the death of one rally attendee, and serious injuries to two others.
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“We have been monitoring Iranian threats against former Trump administration officials for years, even during the previous administration,” stated National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson. “These threats stem from Iran’s desire to retaliate for the killing of Qassem Soleimani. We view this as a matter of utmost national and homeland security importance.”
Trump had ordered the assassination of Soleimani, the commander of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’s Quds Force, in 2020.
“Law enforcement investigations have not revealed any connections between the shooter and any collaborators, domestic or foreign,” added Watson.
