The U.S. Secret Service has ramped up security around former President Donald Trump following recent intelligence reports of an Iranian plot to assassinate him. This enhanced security measure is separate from the attempt on his life last weekend.
The Iranian Threat and Its Origins
The Iranian threat to Trump appears linked to broader patterns of threats against former Trump administration officials stemming from the U.S. killing of Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, in January 2020. This operation was ordered by Trump, leading to ongoing retaliation threats from Iran.
National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said, “We have been tracking Iranian threats against former Trump administration officials for years, dating back to the last administration. These threats arise from Iran’s desire to seek revenge for killing Soleimani.”
Incident in Pennsylvania
There’s no indication of any link between the Iranian plot and Thomas Matthew Crooks, the 20-year-old man accused of shooting at and wounding Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday. Sniper teams neutralized Crooks seconds after he opened fire. The Secret Service and its chief, Kimberly Cheatle, have come under intense scrutiny following the Pennsylvania incident. Cheatle acknowledged the agency’s failure as “unacceptable” but does not plan to resign. President Joe Biden has called for an independent review of the shooting, which resulted in one fatality.
Enhanced Security Measures
Before the Pennsylvania incident, the White House contacted the Secret Service about the recent Iranian threat. The Secret Service then shared this information with the Trump campaign, leading to increased resources and assets for Trump’s protection. CNN reported that the intelligence on the Iranian plot came from a human source.
The U.S. has maintained security details for several former Trump administration officials, including former Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and John Bolton, who served as national security adviser. In 2022, the Justice Department charged a member of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in connection with an alleged plot to assassinate Bolton. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has also warned that Iran is threatening to carry out terror operations inside the United States and worldwide, promising “severe consequences” if any attacks occur.
Ongoing Investigation
“The investigation of Saturday’s attempted assassination of former President Trump is active and ongoing,” Watson said. “At this time, law enforcement has reported that their investigation has not identified ties between the shooter and any accomplice or co-conspirator, foreign or domestic.”
Conclusion
The recent enhancement of Secret Service security for former President Trump underscores the ongoing threat from Iranian operatives seeking revenge for the killing of Qassem Soleimani. As the investigation continues, the U.S. government remains vigilant in protecting former officials and addressing the broader implications of these threats.
Featured Image: Pexels © Polina Zimmerman
