A second attempt on the life of former President Donald Trump in a single year has prompted widespread bipartisan demands for enhanced security measures.
Following the latest incident on Sunday, lawmakers from both parties are urging that Trump be granted increased Secret Service protection. The calls for improved security come as the nation gears up for the upcoming election.
Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY) emphasized the need for maximum protection for all major presidential candidates, stating that anything less would pose a significant risk to national stability. “All major presidential candidates ought to receive the highest level of presidential protection,” he said.
Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY) expressed relief that the latest attempt was thwarted, but stressed the need for upgraded security. “Another assassination attempt on President Trump today by someone hiding in the bushes at Trump International Golf Club with a rifle and scope is a stark reminder of the risks he faces,” she said on X. “As the election nears, he should have the same security level as the sitting president.”
Rep. Nick Langworthy (R-NY) echoed this sentiment, calling on the President to issue Trump the same security levels afforded to a sitting President to ensure his safety. “Given the escalating threats, it is imperative that we take all necessary measures to protect former President Trump,” he said in a statement.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw explained that the security perimeter at the golf course is limited due to Trump’s status as a presidential candidate rather than a sitting president. “The golf course is surrounded by shrubbery, making it difficult to maintain a secure perimeter,” he said during a press conference on Sunday. “If he were the sitting president, we would have the entire golf course surrounded.”
The White House issued a statement confirming that the President and Vice President had been briefed on the security incident and were relieved to know that Trump was safe. Vice President Kamala Harris also posted on X, saying she had been briefed on the incident and emphasizing that violence has no place in America.
