Former US President Donald Trump was hurried off the stage with blood visible on his ear and face after loud cracking noises were heard. The incident occurred on Saturday evening when the former US President was addressing a rally in Pennsylvania.
According to reports from international media, Trump fell to the ground, seemingly injured, after the loud noises. Spectators screamed as security personnel quickly surrounded and shielded Trump, escorting him off the stage. He appeared to shout towards the crowd and was seen pumping his fist as he was led away.
Donald Trump opened up about the shooting incident at his rally in Pennsylvania. The former President has revealed that the bullet hit his ear. Trump stated, “I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear.” He added, “I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening.”
What Does The Secret Service Do For Former Presidents?
A former Secret Service agent Tim Miller earlier spilled the beans revealing, it is the Secret Service’s responsibility to provide comprehensive protection to former presidents at all times.
The level of security measures is determined based on intelligence assessments and coordination capabilities. The number of agents assigned to protect a former president depends on perceived threats and the duration since leaving office.
Ronald Kessler, author of “In the President’s Secret Service,” emphasizes that even former presidents remain potential targets for terrorists, with security details sometimes numbering around 75 officers for round-the-clock protection shortly after leaving office.
Typically, recent former presidents are accompanied by four agents during outings, ensuring continuous coverage through shifts and days off.
Despite reduced intensity compared to active presidency, security protocols include thorough checks of venues like restaurants or convention halls before visits, involving background checks on staff and the deployment of bomb-sniffing dogs.
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How Does Protection For Trump Differ From Other Former Presidents?
Former Secret Service agent Tim Miller earlier stated Donald Trump presents a unique situation for the Secret Service because he is not only a former president but also a current presidential candidate. This dual status adds complexity as Trump travels extensively between various locations.
Miller contrasts Trump with other former presidents like George W. Bush, who lived relatively private lives post-presidency, such as at their ranch or Kennebunkport. In contrast, Trump maintains a more public and active profile.
Regarding Trump’s legal challenges, Miller emphasizes that the Secret Service maintains continuous protection throughout such circumstances, ensuring that no one else assumes responsibility for his security besides the agency itself.
When Did Protection For Presidents Begin?
The U.S. Secret Service was established in 1865 to combat currency counterfeiting after the Civil War, as noted on its website. Its role expanded to include protecting presidents after the assassination of William McKinley in 1901 in Buffalo, N.Y.
Current law mandates protection for sitting presidents, their spouses, and immediate family members, a practice initiated after McKinley’s assassination and still enforced today. In 1958, the Former Presidents Act was passed, ensuring lifetime protection for former presidents, their spouses, and children up to age 15, with protections for spouses ending upon remarriage.
While standard procedure ends protection for adult children of presidents once their parent leaves office, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush each authorized extended Secret Service coverage for their children through specific directives, as reported by CBS News.
When Barack Obama Reinstated The Lifetime Protection
During the Bill Clinton administration in 1994, Congress amended the law to limit lifetime protection for former presidents to just ten years, citing a belief that continued protection was unnecessary and that former presidents were unlikely targets.
However, in 2012, the Former Presidents Protection Act, signed by Barack Obama, restored lifetime Secret Service protection for former presidents. Republican Representative Lamar Smith of Texas argued during House deliberations that the post-9/11 security landscape necessitated ensuring the safety and security of former chief executives.
Not all lawmakers agreed with the decision. Republican Representative Howard Coble of North Carolina argued that former presidents often have lucrative post-presidential careers and should fund their own security arrangements.
