The New York Times and the Washington Post reported on Friday that former US President Donald Trump's campaign demanded that the Secret Service assign him military aircraft and vehicles, greater airspace restrictions over his properties and rallies, and armored glass for campaign purposes. This is said to be related to information about Iranian plans to assassinate the former president.
According to both newspapers, such requests were made by Trump's chief of staff, Susie Wiles, in talks with the White House and the Secret Service.
Among the security measures requested by the former president's campaign are a military plane to transport Trump or a fighter escort for his own plane, a number of military vehicles, increased restrictions on the airspace over his properties and rally sites, and the deployment of armored glass in seven locations for the campaign. key states that Trump visits most often.
According to the New York Times, Trump also wants “advanced, classified military measures that are used only for sitting presidents.”
Former US President Donald TrumpJIM LO SCALZO/PAP/EPA
Fears of assassination attempts
The Journal notes that the Republican candidate's demands are unprecedented and that no candidate has ever received a level of protection equal to a sitting president.
However, this is supposed to be related to intelligence information that Iran is still actively planning to assassinate Trump as revenge for the killing of Revolutionary Guards Special Forces General Qassem Soleimani in 2020.
When asked about Trump's request, the president USA Joe Biden he joked that he could get anything “as long as he doesn't ask for the F-15.” He added, however, that he had ordered the services to give his predecessor's team “every thing they need” so that Trump would have the same protection as him – but nothing more than that.
Trump receives 'highest level of protection'
According to the Washington Post, Wiles has expressed dissatisfaction for weeks with the lack of available Secret Service personnel, which allegedly forced Trump to cancel certain campaign events and scale back his plans in the final weeks of the campaign.
Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement that Trump is receiving the “highest level of protection,” including drones, anti-drone systems, ballistic shields and other advanced systems. Acting head of the service Ronald Rowe announced that the service is analyzing what else the Republican candidate may receive.
National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett also assured that he treats Iran's threats with the utmost seriousness.
– If Iran attacks any of our citizens, including those who still serve the United States or those who previously served, Iran will suffer severe consequences – he said in a statement quoted by “WP”.
Despite information about Iranian intentions, there is so far no evidence linking the two previous assassination attempts against Trump with Iran.
Main photo source: JIM LO SCALZO/PAP/EPA