US Secret Service Bolsters Security Following Intel on Iranian Plot to Assassinate Trump

US intelligence services have uncovered a plot by Iran to assassinate former President Donald Trump. This revelation follows an unrelated assassination attempt by 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, which Trump narrowly survived just days ago.

In response to the Iranian threat, the US Secret Service has significantly increased security measures to protect Trump. Concerns about security protocols at a recent rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, have been heightened, with scrutiny on potential lapses that could have endangered the former president.

A US national security official confirmed that both the Secret Service and the Trump campaign were alerted to the threat before the rally. “Secret Service learned of the increased threat from this threat stream,” the official told CNN. “NSC directly contacted USSS at a senior level to ensure they continued to track the latest reporting. USSS shared this information with the detail lead, and the Trump campaign was made aware of an evolving threat.”

In a statement, the Trump campaign said, “The Trump campaign would not disclose whether it was made aware of the Iran threat. We do not comment on President Trump’s security detail. All questions should be directed to the United States Secret Service.”

Sources familiar with the matter indicated that the Secret Service has repeatedly warned the Trump campaign about the elevated risks associated with outdoor rallies, which are harder to secure compared to controlled-access venues. These warnings, however, have been general and not linked to specific events.