Following a failed assassination attempt at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania last month, former President Donald Trump will now have bulletproof glass surrounding his podium at outdoor events. A federal law enforcement source, briefed on the planning, confirmed the decision to Fox News. Indoor events will not see the same level of protection.
The increased security measures come after an armed individual fired shots at Trump during the rally. While Trump narrowly avoided serious injury by ducking beneath the podium, the incident highlighted security lapses within the Secret Service.
The gunman, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was able to scale the roof of a building owned by AGR International Inc., a supplier of automation equipment for the glass and plastic packaging industry, and fire an estimated eight shots with an AR-15-style rifle.
The incident sparked outrage and scrutiny of the Secret Service. It was revealed that law enforcement had identified Crooks as suspicious an hour before the rally began but lost track of him.
The security failures have drawn significant criticism, raising questions about the Secret Service’s ability to protect high-profile individuals.
