Iran threat prompted increased protection of Trump, Saturday attack appears unrelated, officials say
WASHINGTON — A threat from Iran prompted the US Secret Service to beef up security for Donald Trump ahead of the attempted assassination of the former president on Saturday. However, two US officials say this appears to have nothing to do with the attack on the rally.
When the Biden administration learned of the threat, it contacted senior Secret Service officials to alert them, the officials said, adding that it was shared with Trump’s lead protection detail and the Trump campaign. That prompted the agency to increase resources and assets. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive intelligence matters.
The extra resources failed to prevent an attack on a Trump rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, in which Trump was injured in the ear, one attendee was killed and two others were seriously wounded when a 20-year-old armed with an AR-style rifle opened fire from a nearby rooftop.
“As we have said many times, we have been monitoring Iranian threats against former Trump administration officials for years, dating back to the previous administration,” said National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson. “These threats stem from Iran’s desire to avenge the killing of Qassem Soleimani. We consider this a national and homeland security issue of the highest priority.”
Trump ordered the killing of Soleimani, who led the Quds Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, in 2020.
“At this time, police have reported that their investigation has not identified any links between the shooter and any accomplices or accomplices, foreign or domestic,” Watson added.
Federal law enforcement officials also warned of potential copycat attacks or election-related retaliation after the attempt on Trump’s life, as President Joe Biden was surrounded by significantly beefed-up security and independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. received Secret Service protection.
Presidents – and presidential candidates – are always the subject of threats, but the online rhetoric that follows the attack on Saturday at a rally in Pennsylvania is of particular concern, “as individuals in some online communities have threatened, encouraged, or referenced violent acts in response to the attempted murder,” according to a joint Homeland Security-FBI intelligence bulletin obtained by The Associated Press.