The Secret Service is providing former President Donald Trump with the highest level of protection, according to Ronald Rowe, the agency’s acting director. This comes after two separate assassination attempts against Trump in recent weeks.
In response to these threats, the Senate has unanimously passed bipartisan legislation aimed at strengthening Secret Service protection for major presidential candidates. This bill, known as the Protect Our President Act, was introduced by Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Rick Scott (R-Fla.). It would elevate the level of security afforded to presidential nominees to match the protection currently given to a sitting president. While a nominee has the option to decline this enhanced security, the bill also extends presidential-level protection to vice presidential nominees. This means Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) and Gov. Tim Walz (D-Minn.) would also benefit from the increased security measures.
The legislation further mandates that the Secret Service regularly report to House and Senate leaders on the status of candidates’ protection. These reports would encompass threat levels, security measures implemented, costs associated with the protection, the number of personnel assigned, and any unmet security needs.
The passage of this legislation underscores the growing concern for the safety of prominent political figures, particularly in the wake of recent threats against former President Trump. It serves as a testament to the importance of robust security measures to safeguard our nation’s leaders and ensure a safe and secure political environment.
