Trump team requests military-level security citing threats from Iran

Former President Trump’s team has requested added security, including military aircraft, to further protect the GOP nominee in the final stretch of the 2024 presidential election, citing threats from Iran. 

Trump campaign co-manager Susie Wiles made a bevy of requests to Secret Service director Ronald Rowe Jr., including providing military aircraft that can shoot down surface-to-air missiles as the former president campaigns in battleground states, according to a letter dated Sept. 30 Wiles sent to Rowe and that was reviewed by The Hill. 

The development was first reported by The New York Times. 

The campaign’s request also included armored vehicles, expansion of temporary flight restrictions over Trump’s residencies and rallies, and additional funding for local law enforcement agencies and the U.S. Secret Service (USSS), according to the letter. Wiles asked the USSS to pre-place the ballistic glass in all seven swing-states at Trump’s outdoor rallies. 

The requests for additional protection came as the GOP nominee’s advisers had gotten briefings from the intelligence community where they said that Iran is still planning to target Trump, according to a source familiar with the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive matter. 

Wiles said in the letter that the ex-president’s ability to campaign has become “limited” because of threats while the campaign looks to have more events in the closing stage of the election. The source also added that the campaign had to change venues in the eleventh hour, costing it more money. 

Trump’s team is looking to protect the Republican nominee on the same level as President Biden. 

“Today, the former President is receiving the highest levels of protection,” Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement to The Hill. “The Secret Service will remain vigilant and continue to adjust and enhance its protective posture as needed to mitigate evolving threats.”

The push for additional protection comes after the former president was the target of two assassination attempts in the last few months. During a rally in Pennsylvania in July, his ear was grazed by bullet. In another incident last month, a man was arrested and charged for allegedly pushing the muzzle of a rifle through the fence of Trump’s golf course in Florida.

In late September, Trump was also briefed by intelligence officials about Iran’s alleged threat against his life, a month after a Pakistani national with alleged links to the Iranian government was charged with plotting to commit a political assassination in the U.S.

“Assistance from the Department of Defense is regularly provided for the former President’s protection, to include explosive ordnance disposal, canine units and airlift transportation,” Guglielmi said in a written statement. 

“Other enhancements the Secret Service has made include Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) over the former President’s residence and when he travels,” he added. “Additionally, the former President is receiving the highest level of technical security assets, which include unmanned aerial vehicles, counter unmanned aerial surveillance systems, ballistics and other advanced technology systems.” 

His comments come after the House and Senate passed legislation earlier this month to bolster security around political candidates, a move seen as a win for the Trump campaign.

Trump’s spokesperson declined to comment.

Updated at 6:42 p.m. EST.