By Brendan Scanland
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In the wake of Sunday’s apparent assassination attempt on Donald Trump, a growing number of lawmakers are calling for even more security for the former president.
Following the July 13 assassination attempt, security around Trump has tightened. But after Sunday’s apparent assassination attempt—the second threat to the former president’s life in roughly two months– calls are ramping up to provide the former president with the same level of security as a sitting president.
“Given the escalating threats, I’m calling on President Biden to issue President Trump the same security levels afforded to a sitting President to ensure his safety,” said Congressman Nick Langworthy (R- NY).
“The Department of Homeland Security must provide Secret Service with the resources necessary to keep President Trump safe. Regardless of the protocol, the agency must base its protective detail on the threat level against President Trump, rather than on his status as a former President,” said Congressman Dan Meuser (R- PA).
Many Republicans, including Trump, have praised the actions of the Secret Service on Sunday. However, some Republicans in Congress say the agency needs to do more given the high threat level.
At an America First Policy Institute (AFPI) economic discussion Tuesday, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R- LA) was asked how it’s possible that President Trump has not yet received full presidential protection.
“We should be outraged. And we’re making every demand for that to happen. The Secret Service, as you’ve seen reported, suggests that they have a manpower shortage. This is about allocation of resources,” said Johnson. “I’m not so sure it’s a funding issue, but Congress will be willing to do what’s necessary.”
“It’s not necessarily more funding, I would suggest to you, more coordination between the security agencies. It could be the local county sheriff, the state police, the Secret Service,” said Rep. Jack Bergman (R- MI).
Congressman Bergman suggests that it’s not so much a funding issue, but instead more of a coordination and training issue. Bergman cited the ongoing work of the Congressional task force investigating the July 13 assassination attempt, and said that investigation could help address coordination concerns.
“If we need more to provide the coordination, and if there’s some different scenario-based training, because if we’re if we’re not training with current 21st century scenario-based training modules, then we’re behind. So we’re going to look at all of that,” said Bergman.
“We all must do our part to ensure an incident like this does not happen again,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D- NY).
As Congress works to negotiate a government funding plan by the end of the month, Leader Schumer says he is prepared to provide more resources to the Secret Service if need be.
“As we continue the appropriations process, if the Secret Service is in need of more resources, we are prepared to providing it for them, possibly in the upcoming funding agreement,” said Schumer.
Lawmakers are working to negotiate a government spending plan with just under two weeks until the September 30 deadline. On Wednesday, Speaker Johnson is expected to bring his version of the spending plan to the House floor for a vote.
