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Excerpt from timesofindia.indiatimes.com
In recent weeks, US authorities received intelligence from a human source regarding a plot by Iran to assassinate former US President Donald Trump, leading the Secret Service to enhance security measures around him, according to multiple sources briefed on the matter who spoke to CNN. However, there is no indication that Thomas Matthew Crooks, the individual who attempted to kill Trump on Saturday, was connected to this plot.
The existence of this intelligence threat from a hostile foreign intelligence agency, coupled with the increased security for Trump, raises questions about the security lapses that occurred during the Saturday rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Despite the heightened security measures, a 20-year-old man managed to access a nearby rooftop and fire shots that injured the former president.
According to a US national security official, the Secret Service and Trump campaign were informed of the threat prior to Saturday’s 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 be absolutely sure 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 response to the increased threat, Secret Service surged resources and assets for the protection of former President Trump. All of this was in advance of Saturday.”
The Trump campaign declined to comment on whether they were aware of the Iran threat, saying, “We do not comment on President Trump’s security detail. All questions should be directed to The United States Secret Service.” The Secret Service spokesperson, Anthony Guglielmi, confirmed in a statement on Sunday that the agency had “added protective resources and capabilities to the former President’s security detail.”
