Secret Service had already beefed up Trump’s security due to unrelated Iran threat
Secret Service to be under investigation for handling of Trump attack
The Secret Service is facing heightened scrutiny in the wake of the assassination attempt against former President Trump, in which the shooter was allowed to bring a rifle onto a nearby rooftop in broad daylight. The FBI is investigating the Trump shooting as well as the home of Thomas Matthew Crooks.
The United States Secret Service increased protection surrounding former President Donald Trump prior to Saturday’s assassination attempt after receiving information about a possible threat from Iran made towards the former president.
The Biden administration was briefed on the threat and reached out to senior officials at the Secret Service to make them aware, officials said.
The intel was shared with the lead agent in charge of Trump’s protection detail and the Trump campaign.
FILE - Members of the US Secret Service ahead of the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US, on Sunday, July 14, 2024. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
RELATED: Trump rally shooter was identified as 'potential person of suspicion,' Secret Service director says
Additional resources were allocated to boost Trump’s security, but it still did not prevent Saturday’s attack at the rally in Pennsylvania where the former president was injured in the ear.
"As we have said many times, we have been tracking Iranian threats against former Trump administration officials for years, dating back to the last administration," said National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson. "These threats arise from Iran’s desire to seek revenge for the killing of Qassem Soleimani. We consider this a national and homeland security matter of the highest priority."
Trump ordered the killing of Soleimani, who led the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps's Quds Force, in 2020.
"At this time, law enforcement has reported that their investigation has not identified ties between the shooter and any accomplice or co-conspirator, foreign or domestic," Watson added.
The Associated Press contributed to this report. This story was reported from Los Angeles.