Trump Requests Enhanced Security as Iranian Threats Intensify \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Donald Trump’s campaign has requested heightened security measures, including military aircraft, amid growing threats from Iran. The former president narrowly survived one assassination attempt, prompting his team to ask for additional resources like armored vehicles, airspace restrictions, and decoy aircraft. Despite accusations from Trump that the Biden administration is withholding security, the Secret Service asserts that Trump already receives the highest levels of protection.
Trump Campaign’s Heightened Security Demands: Quick Looks
- Trump’s aides request military aircraft to protect against Iranian threats.
- The campaign asks for special armored vehicles, airspace restrictions, and decoy aircraft funding.
- Trump narrowly survived an assassination attempt; no link to Iran has been publicly confirmed.
- The Secret Service insists Trump already receives “the highest levels of protection.”
- Trump accuses the Biden administration of withholding security resources, hindering his campaign.
- Iranian hackers have targeted Trump’s campaign, allegedly to sabotage it.
Deep Look
Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign has requested significant escalations in security measures, including the use of military aircraft capable of intercepting surface-to-air missiles, as concerns mount over potential threats from Iran. The campaign’s call for these unusual steps comes after an assassination attempt on Trump, followed by another thwarted attempt, both of which have raised alarm within his inner circle. Although there has been no public confirmation that these incidents are linked to Iranian actors, the Trump campaign views the threats from Iran as credible and severe.
The campaign’s security concerns stem from Iran’s longstanding desire for retaliation following the Trump administration’s 2020 drone strike that killed top Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. Iran has reportedly targeted several former Trump administration officials, and the country has been accused of orchestrating a cyber hack targeting key Trump campaign members. The campaign believes that Trump himself remains a high-priority target.
Trump’s security team has submitted a detailed list of requests to the U.S. Secret Service, asking for expanded protections during the final leg of the campaign. The requests include the use of a military-grade aircraft for transportation, special armored vehicles typically reserved for sitting presidents, and expanded flight restrictions over his campaign rallies and residences. The campaign has also sought reimbursements for decoy aircraft, and additional funding for local law enforcement agencies assisting in Trump’s protection.
In addition, the Trump campaign is calling for a quicker deployment of ballistic glass barriers at his outdoor rallies, especially in key battleground states. According to sources familiar with the security planning, it currently takes more than a week to position the ballistic barriers, which Trump’s aides see as impractical given the fast-paced and ever-changing nature of campaign schedules. They argue that this timeframe is particularly unrealistic during the final stretch of the campaign, when rallies are often organized on short notice based on the latest polling and strategy adjustments.
The Secret Service, however, has pushed back on the campaign’s complaints, asserting that Trump is already receiving the highest levels of protection available to a former president. Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi noted that Trump’s security detail has been significantly enhanced since the attempted assassination at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July. The agency has implemented comprehensive upgrades to its communication systems and protective operations to safeguard Trump. He also added that the Department of Defense routinely assists with canine units and air traffic restrictions when Trump is traveling or at home.
The former president and his aides, however, have expressed frustration, claiming that their ability to campaign effectively is being hindered by a lack of sufficient resources. Trump himself has argued that his rallies and events have been forced to scale back due to the Secret Service’s limitations. For example, a speech in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, was reduced in size because the Secret Service was unable to secure a larger rally venue during the same week as the U.N. General Assembly in New York.
Trump has accused the Biden administration of intentionally denying him the necessary security resources, alleging that the move is politically motivated to benefit Vice President Kamala Harris, his Democratic opponent. He has openly complained that this lack of support is “interfering in the election,” asserting that the denial of resources is part of a broader effort to stifle his campaign. Despite these grievances, Trump has praised the bravery of his personal security detail, particularly those in the Secret Service who protect him on a daily basis.
President Joe Biden, for his part, has downplayed Trump’s accusations, stating that he is committed to ensuring Trump receives all the necessary security protections afforded to a former president. Speaking to reporters, Biden confirmed that he would approve Trump’s request for additional military aircraft, as long as it was within reason. “If it fits within that category, that’s fine,” Biden said, “But it doesn’t, he shouldn’t.”
Trump’s concerns about his security extend beyond physical threats. The former president has also been targeted by Iranian cyberattacks. Earlier this year, Iranian hackers were charged with stealing sensitive information from Trump’s campaign and attempting to use it to undermine his bid for re-election. Prosecutors allege that the hackers tried to leak campaign material to news organizations and to send unsolicited emails to Biden campaign staffers. Although none of these efforts succeeded, the incident highlights the lengths to which Iran has gone to disrupt Trump’s political efforts.
Despite these threats, Trump’s advisers have been vocal about their dissatisfaction with the Biden administration’s response. Senior campaign adviser Chris LaCivita recently criticized the White House for its perceived lack of action, drawing a comparison to former President Bill Clinton’s decisive retaliation against an Iraqi plot to assassinate former President George H.W. Bush. LaCivita argued that the current administration has been slow to act, preferring to issue press releases instead of taking tangible steps to protect Trump.
The Biden administration, however, insists that it is taking the threats against Trump seriously. National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett emphasized that the government has been closely monitoring Iranian threats against Trump and other former officials. “We consider this a national and homeland security matter of the highest priority,” Savett said, warning that any Iranian attack on American citizens, whether current or former officials, would result in “severe consequences.”
As the campaign continues, Trump’s team is pressing for additional security measures, including the use of military aircraft similar to those used by high-ranking government officials. Representative Mike Waltz, a close ally of Trump, has written to the Secret Service, Department of Homeland Security, White House, and Department of Defense, urging them to deploy these resources in light of the heightened threats.
In the final weeks before the election, Trump’s team remains focused on securing enhanced protection, while continuing to accuse the Biden administration of downplaying the severity of the situation. As the race intensifies, the question of Trump’s security and the broader issue of Iranian retaliation will likely remain central topics of discussion.
