In the aftermath of a second assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, members of Congress have ramped up calls for significantly enhanced security measures to ensure his safety as he campaigns for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. The latest attempt on Trump’s life, which occurred on September 15 at his West Palm Beach golf club, has reignited concerns about political violence and the effectiveness of current protection protocols for presidential candidates.

The incident follows a previous assassination attempt on Trump just two months earlier, on July 13, during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. This first attempt raised eyebrows and led to increased scrutiny of the US Secret Service (USSS), the federal agency responsible for protecting national leaders, including presidential candidates. While the Secret Service made assurances that both Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, as the current Democratic nominee, would be afforded the same level of security as sitting President Joe Biden, many are questioning whether these promises have been adequately fulfilled.

Following the West Palm Beach incident, several members of Congress, both Republicans and Democrats, voiced their concerns about the level of protection given to Trump. Among them, Rep. Nick Langworthy (R., N.Y.) has been particularly vocal, urging President Biden to personally ensure that Trump is granted the same security measures as a sitting president.

“Given the escalating threats, I’m calling on President Biden to issue President Trump the same security levels afforded to a sitting President to ensure his safety,” Langworthy said in a statement after the September 15 attempt on Trump’s life. His comments echo the concerns of other lawmakers who fear that Trump’s current security provisions are inadequate given the threats he faces.

A bipartisan congressional task force, formed after the July assassination attempt, has now requested a detailed briefing with the Secret Service to assess the agency’s response to the September 15 attack. The task force, composed of members from both parties, has expressed ongoing worries about the potential for political violence during the 2024 election cycle. In a statement, the group said they “remain deeply concerned about political violence and condemn it in all of its forms.”

Rep. Ritchie Torres (D., N.Y.), a Democratic member of the task force, emphasized the need for maximum protection for all major presidential candidates, regardless of party affiliation. “All major presidential candidates ought to receive the highest level of presidential protection,” Torres said in an interview with Axios. “Anything less than maximum protection is a self-inflicted wound that puts our Nation’s stability at grave risk.”

Despite these calls for action, questions remain about whether the Secret Service has done enough to protect Trump, particularly in the wake of two failed assassination attempts. Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, who is familiar with Trump’s security situation, commented on the limitations of the protection provided at Trump’s golf club on the day of the most recent attack.

“At this level that he is at right now, he’s not the sitting president,” Bradshaw explained. “If he was, we would have had this entire golf course surrounded. But because he’s not, security is limited to the areas that the Secret Service deems possible.”

Bradshaw’s remarks highlight the difference in the security detail provided to former presidents versus sitting presidents. While Trump’s Secret Service detail has been active since he left office, it appears that the level of protection, particularly the size of the security perimeter, has been reduced compared to what he would receive if he were still in the White House.

Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe assured the congressional task force in previous meetings that Trump would be treated similarly to a sitting president regarding security measures. However, the recent incident in West Palm Beach has prompted fresh doubts about whether this promise has been fully realized.

In the wake of the latest assassination attempt, pressure on the Secret Service and the Biden administration to act has only intensified. Former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer was one of several public figures who condemned what they see as bureaucratic inaction in protecting Trump.

“After two unsuccessful assassination attempts against Trump, the USSS should stop treating him as a candidate,” Fleischer said. “They need to treat him as they would a sitting POTUS, especially by expanding the protective perimeter around him. Stop being bureaucratic. Do what’s necessary.”

Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R., N.Y.) echoed these concerns, posting on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that “Trump should have the same security level as the sitting president!” Her comments reflect the frustrations felt by many Republicans, who believe that the Secret Service is not doing enough to ensure the safety of their party’s nominee.

While Republicans have been the most vocal in demanding increased security for Trump, some Democrats have also joined the call, acknowledging the broader issue of political violence that threatens the integrity of the electoral process. The assassination attempts on Trump serve as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by political figures in a polarized environment, and the need for comprehensive protection for all candidates-regardless of party.

The growing fear of political violence is not limited to the Trump campaign. With the 2024 election cycle heating up, concerns about the safety of political leaders have become a central issue. The bipartisan task force formed after the July assassination attempt is tasked with addressing these concerns, and its upcoming meeting with the Secret Service will likely shape future security protocols.

In the short term, it remains to be seen whether President Biden will heed the calls to personally ensure Trump’s protection. With the stakes of the 2024 election growing higher, both parties agree that safeguarding the lives of political candidates is essential for the health of American democracy.

For now, Trump’s campaign continues under the cloud of heightened security concerns, as both his supporters and detractors alike await the government’s next move to prevent further attacks. As the former president makes his case for a second term, the issue of his personal safety has become an unexpected flashpoint in the national conversation about political violence and the future of democratic governance.

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