A source familiar with the matter told NBC News that former President Donald Trump’s campaign requested additional security measures similar to what a sitting president would receive amid increasing threats against the former president’s life.
Late last month, Susie Wiles, Trump’s co-campaign manager, appealed to White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients to ask the administration to provide military assets, including armored vehicles, in-flight protection and temporary airspace restrictions, among other security measures. he said.
When Zients received the call, he immediately put Wiles in touch with the Department of Homeland Security and Secret Service leadership so he would have a direct line, a source familiar with the call said. Zients also disclosed that President Joe Biden has directed the Secret Service to provide the highest level of protection for Trump, the source said.
A subsequent letter sent by Wiles to Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe, reviewed by NBC News, confirmed several of the campaign’s demands. The letter claims that threats to Trump’s security have limited his ability to campaign.
The Trump campaign has also asked for special forces to protect Trump, according to two US officials. A source with knowledge of the matter denied this, saying that Secret Service officials, not the Trump campaign, had requested the special operations force with a special mission to prevent potential drone attacks. The campaign declined to comment.
Trump has faced two alleged assassination attempts in the past few months — one at a July rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a shooter was killed, and the second last month when the Secret Service spotted a man with a firearm at the perimeter. Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida. The former president, who was playing golf at the time, was evacuated safely.
Trump was also briefed by intelligence officials Assassination threats from Iranhis campaign spokesman Stephen Cheung said last month. Some members of the campaign were also briefed on the Iranian threats, said a source familiar with Wiles’ relationship with Zients.
In the wake of the threats, the Trump campaign has used additional tactics and evasive maneuvers and is trying to be less predictable in its actions, the source said. In addition, a Trump ally, Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., has asked that the former president’s campaign be allowed to use threat detection and interception aircraft such as the Boeing C-17 or C-32. The expression “blue-white” is used by the vice president, as well as members of the Cabinet of Ministers and Congress. Another possibility would be to retrofit Trump’s private jet — an option the source said would be less likely now that the election is less than a month away.
The appeals have been met with inaction for weeks, the source said.
A spokesman for the Secret Service disputed the claim.
“Following the July 13 assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, the US Secret Service has comprehensively upgraded its communications capabilities, resources and protective operations,” said Anthony Guglielmi, the agency’s chief of communications. “Today, the former president receives the highest level of protection.”
In addition, the Defense Department provides regular assistance to protect Trump, including “explosive ordnance disposal, dog units and airlift,” Guglielmi said.
The Secret Service has taken other steps, including temporary flight restrictions over Trump’s residence and during his travel, Guglielmi said. The former president is also protected by “unmanned aerial vehicles, counter-unmanned aerial surveillance systems, ballistics and other advanced technology systems.”
“The department continues to provide enhanced support to the US Secret Service for presidential and vice presidential candidates,” a defense official told NBC News. Another source said Trump has received the same level of protection as Biden, so the campaign shouldn’t have to wait much longer.
Two officials told NBC News that the Pentagon and the Secret Service are concerned that releasing more assets would violate a federal law that restricts military use for domestic purposes.
In August, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin approved a request from the Department of Homeland Security to increase support for candidates around the country. Under the control of the US Northern Command, this assistance includes providing the Secret Service with explosives experts and technicians who can detect and protect against chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats, as well as providing communications and transportation assistance. This is similar to support for political conventions and other major events, but may include additional opportunities.