Secret Service ‘May Have Denied’ Requests For More Security At Trump Events: WaPo

Secret Service officials, according to a new report from The Washington Post, denied multiple requests from former President Donald Trump’s security team to beef up their manpower and resources for major events over the last two years.

The Washington Post cited “four people familiar with the requests,” saying that the agents who were assigned to protect Trump had “requested magnetometers and more agents to screen attendees at sporting events and other large public gatherings Trump attended, as well as additional snipers and specialty teams at other outdoor events.”

Those requests were reportedly “denied by senior officials at the agency, who cited various reasons, including a lack of resources at an agency that has long struggled with staffing shortages.”

Rep. Michael Waltz (R-FL) was among the first to raise questions about whether or not the Secret Service had rebuffed requests for additional security for Trump.

“I have very reliable sources telling me there have been repeated requests for stronger secret service protection for President Trump. Denied by Secretary Mayorkas,” he said, just hours after the shooting.

I have very reliable sources telling me there have been repeated requests for stronger secret service protection for President Trump.

Denied by Secretary Mayorkas. https://t.co/RazOVcJgCk

— Rep. Mike Waltz (@michaelgwaltz) July 14, 2024

Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi initially pushed back against reports that such requests had been made and then rebuffed by the agency.

“Theres an untrue assertion that a member of the former President’s team requested additional security resources & that those were rebuffed. This is absolutely false. In fact, we added protective resources & technology & capabilities as part of the increased campaign travel tempo,” he said the day after the shooting.

Theres an untrue assertion that a member of the former President’s team requested additional security resources & that those were rebuffed. This is absolutely false. In fact, we added protective resources & technology & capabilities as part of the increased campaign travel tempo

— Anthony Guglielmi (@SecretSvcSpox) July 14, 2024

But the latest report suggests that those claims were, in fact, accurate.

“The Secret Service, after initially denying turning down requests for additional security, is now acknowledging some may have been rejected,” The Washington Post report continued. “The revelation comes as agency veterans say the organization has been forced to make difficult decisions amid competing demands, a growing list of protectees and limited funding.”

John Hasson shared a series of screenshots that laid out the changing narrative from start to finish, from Waltz’s assertions to The Washington Post’s apparent confirmation.

“July 13: Rep. @Michaelgwaltz claims Secret Service denied Trump’s requests for more security; July 14: Secret Service says it didn’t deny Trump’s requests; TODAY: Secret Service admits it “may have” denied Trump’s requests.”

July 13: Rep. @michaelgwaltz claims
Secret Service denied Trump’s requests for more security

July 14: Secret Service says it didn’t deny Trump’s requests

TODAY: Secret Service admits it “may have” denied Trump’s requests pic.twitter.com/ThkYFmUfCp

— John Hasson (@SonofHas) July 20, 2024