In a dramatic escalation of tensions, President Biden has reportedly instructed his National Security Council to convey a clear message to Iran: any attempt on former President Donald Trump’s life would be viewed as an act of war. This stern warning comes as the Trump team has been made aware of specific threats against the former president and has requested unusual security measures, including military aircraft capable of shooting down missiles, in the weeks leading up to the election.
The U.S. has taken unprecedented steps to shield Trump from potential retaliation from Iran for the 2020 killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, who was assassinated in a U.S. airstrike. These measures have included allocating $150 million annually for the protection of officials like former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former head of U.S. Central Command, General Kenneth McKenzie, according to Politico. The Trump campaign has also requested armored vehicles typically used for sitting presidents, increased flight restrictions over Trump’s rallies and residences, reimbursements for decoy aircraft, and additional funding for the Secret Service and local law enforcement.
While the White House initially declined to comment on whether Biden believed killing Trump would constitute an act of war, National Security Council spokesperson Sean Savitt emphasized the gravity of the threat. “We consider this a national and homeland security matter of the highest priority, and we strongly condemn Iran for these brazen threats,” Savitt stated, acknowledging that Iran has sought revenge for Soleimani’s death. “We have ensured that appropriate agencies are continuously and promptly providing the former president’s security detail with evolving threat information. Additionally, President Biden has reiterated his directive that the United States Secret Service should receive every resource, capability and protective measure required to address those evolving threats to the former president.”
Both Trump and his high-level officials who ordered the strike in 2020 have faced death threats from Iran. Iran has also engaged in cyberattacks targeting Trump’s campaign and attempted to disseminate information to Democrats and the media. Trump has urged Biden to take a hard-line stance against Iran, suggesting a devastating response if a U.S. politician were harmed. “If I were the president, I would inform the threatening country, in this case Iran, that if you do anything to harm this person, we are going to blow your largest cities and the country itself to smithereens,” Trump declared.
Iran, under the leadership of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has made no secret of its desire to kill Trump. In 2022, an animated video circulating online depicted a drone targeting Trump at his golf course. This video resurfaced recently, further highlighting Iran’s intentions. In June 2022, undercover FBI agents intercepted a Pakistani man attempting to hire hit men to assassinate a U.S. politician. The individual, Asif Merchant, was apprehended on July 12, the day before a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
In 2022, the Justice Department brought charges against a member of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps for allegedly plotting to kill former National Security Advisor John Bolton.
Amidst these escalating tensions, President Biden has assured the public that Trump will receive the necessary security measures. However, the heightened threat underscores the complex geopolitical landscape and the ongoing ramifications of past actions.