The reassignment of members of a president’s team to a candidate is unusual, said a Secret Service official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss confidential policy matters.
But the increased threat of violence against Mr. Trump, combined with Mr. Biden’s recent reduced travel schedule, made the step both necessary and feasible, the official added.
The Secret Service has taken responsibility for the security lapses that made the shooting possible.
The steps the Secret Service is taking are a natural part of its asymmetrical approach to assure their no-fail mission is fulfilled.” Our politics reporters.
The glass is usually transported by military planes, these people said, easing the logistical burden on the Secret Service.
Former President Donald J. Trump has received support from the Secret Service. Trump’s security in a number of ways since the attempted assassination on him last month, according to multiple people with knowledge of the situation on Thursday. One such measure was the temporary transfer of a portion of President Biden’s protective team to Mr. Trump.
These people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive tactics, added that the Secret Service had also obtained ballistic glass, which is intended to deflect bullets, to give Mr. Trump better protection at upcoming outdoor campaign rallies.
A Secret Service official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive policy matters, stated that it is unusual for members of a president’s team to be reassigned to a candidate. However, given the growing threat of violence against Mr. Trump and Mr. Biden’s recent reduction in travel, the official said that the action was both appropriate and practical.
A spokesman for the Trump campaign declined to comment, and a White House spokesman did not immediately respond.
After a gunman opened fire on President Trump without hindrance on July 13 during an outdoor campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, the Secret Service has been under intense scrutiny. Two spectators were critically injured, one spectator died, and Mr. Trump’s ear was slightly cut in the attack. The F. 3. I. is looking into it, and representatives in Congress have started questions as well.
The security lapses that allowed for the shooting have been acknowledged and acknowledged by the Secret Service. Kimberley A. Cheatle was succeeded as the agency’s director after he resigned. However, despite reeling from the worst presidential security breach in over 40 years, the agency has had to carry out its duty of safeguarding the families and current and former officials of thirty-two, all the while navigating the complicated and intense presidential campaign season.
Donald Mihalek, a 20-year Secret Service employee who retired in 2019, said the agency’s methodology “is made to be flexible” and to handle both known and unknown threats. These actions are a logical extension of the Secret Service’s asymmetrical strategy to ensure that their no-fail mission is accomplished. “.
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Hey, Mr. During his years in the service, Mihalek assisted in protecting multiple presidents. He said that on occasion, he witnessed members of a president’s team being temporarily transferred to other positions, particularly during United Nations functions.
The group, known as the agency’s presidential protective division, is utilized for high-level protective details due to its experience and knowledge, he said.
According to current and former Secret Service officials, the division is made up of hundreds of agents who spread out throughout the White House compound to carry out different security duties and accompany the president. Division members who would normally travel and perform advance work are now available to work with Mr. Trump’s team because Mr. Biden has not traveled much since withdrawing his reelection bid on July 21, according to the official.
Current and former Secret Service officials stated that the use of ballistic glass for individuals under protection other than the president and vice president is uncommon, despite not being unheard of. This is partially due to the material’s weight. According to these sources, military aircraft typically carry the glass, which relieves the Secret Service of some logistical burden.
According to a service official, ballistic glass will be placed strategically across the nation for convenience in the case of Mr. Trump, whose possible use of it for upcoming campaign events was previously reported by ABC News.
Alright, Mr. On Thursday, at his Bedminster, New Jersey, golf club, Trump hosted an outdoor news conference. I. J. however since the rally in Butler, he has not organized an outdoor event.
He’s expressed interest in holding another event in the Butler region in the future.
He stated, “We’re going to go back in October,” this week in an interview with billionaire businessman Elon Musk.
Reporting from Bedminster, N.J. was provided by Michael Gold. J.