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The United States Secret Service has pushed back on claims that the agency denied former President Donald Trump additional protection before the assassination attempt on him Saturday.
In response to Rep. Mike Waltz’s (R-FL) allegation that Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas had refused to enhance Trump’s protective measures, Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi stated on X, “This is absolutely false. In fact, we added protective resources & technology & capabilities as part of the increased campaign travel tempo.” This came after Walz claimed to “have very reliable sources” that told him “there have been repeated requests for stronger secret service protection for President Trump. Denied by Secretary Mayorkas.”

During the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Trump reported that a bullet “pierced the upper part” of his right ear. Despite the injury, Trump raised his fist in defiance as Secret Service agents tried to evacuate him. The shooter, who had taken an “elevated position outside of the rally venue,” was neutralized by Secret Service personnel and is now deceased, according to Guglielmi.

The incident has prompted several Republican lawmakers to demand an investigation into the security breach. Speaker Mike Johnson promised to summon representatives from the Secret Service, the Department of Homeland Security, and the FBI for questioning. Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) expressed concern, writing, “Although we still do not have all the facts, the little that we do know suggests a staggering security failure.”
Following the attempt on his life, Trump’s team reassured supporters that he plans to attend the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee next week, where heightened security measures will be in place.