Pentagon Bolsters Secret Service Support for 2024 Presidential Election
U.S. Defense Secretary approves additional military assistance for Secret Service during 2024 election campaign. Enhanced security measures follow July 2023 assassination attempt on former President Trump.
The U.S. Department of Defense has announced increased support for the Secret Service during the 2024 presidential election campaign. This decision, made public on August 29, 2024, comes in response to heightened security concerns following a significant incident last year.
On July 13, 2023, an assassination attempt on Donald Trump occurred during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. This event prompted a comprehensive review of security protocols and led to substantial changes within the Secret Service. The agency, established in 1865 to combat currency counterfeiting, has since evolved to become the primary protector of U.S. presidents and other high-ranking officials.
Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh confirmed that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has directed U.S. Northern Command to provide additional support to the Secret Service. While specific details were not disclosed, the assistance is expected to encompass logistics, transportation, and communications throughout the 2024 campaign season.
The Secret Service, which began offering full-time presidential protection in 1901 following the assassination of William McKinley, has acknowledged the security lapse at the Pennsylvania rally. The agency's leadership underwent changes in the aftermath of the incident, with the chief stepping down. This event marked a rare breach in the agency's otherwise impeccable record of never losing a protectee to an assassination attempt since its inception.
"As part of this effort, the Department of Defense is providing the U.S. Secret Service with additional assistance including logistics, transportation, and communications, through the 2024 campaign season."
The FBI continues to investigate the motives behind the shooting, which resulted in one fatality and two injuries among rally attendees. This incident has raised questions about the agency's ability to secure large-scale events and protect presidential candidates effectively.
The upcoming November 5, 2024, election is shaping up to be a closely contested race between Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. This heightened political climate, combined with recent security concerns, has necessitated an unprecedented level of cooperation between the Department of Defense and the Secret Service.
It's worth noting that Secret Service protection for presidential candidates became standard practice after Robert F. Kennedy's assassination in 1968. The agency, which employs approximately 7,000 people, is tasked with protecting not only current and former presidents but also their families, visiting foreign heads of state, and other high-ranking officials.
As the election approaches, the Secret Service will likely leverage its extensive training facilities, such as the James J. Rowley Training Center in Maryland, to prepare for potential security challenges. Agents, who must be U.S. citizens with a bachelor's degree, undergo rigorous training in various skills, including marksmanship and emergency medicine.
This enhanced collaboration between the Pentagon and the Secret Service underscores the critical importance of ensuring the safety and security of presidential candidates during what promises to be an intensely scrutinized election season.
