The Secret Service admits that on several occasions before the assassination attempt on Donald Trump, they rejected requests from his campaign staff for increased security at the former president's appearances.
Immediately after the assassination attempt on Donald Trump, the Secret Service denied that they had rejected such claims for increased security, but late on Saturday, the agency admitted that it had indeed happened on several occasions. However, this does not apply to the assassination attempt on Trump in Pennsylvania on July 13.
The security surrounding Trump is expected to be in focus during the congressional hearings to be held on Monday with the head of the Secret Service, Kimberly Cheatle. Trump was shot in the right ear during the assassination attempt, in which one person was killed and two were injured.
Alejandro Mayorkas, the US minister responsible for internal security, has stated that what happened to Trump during the campaign meeting was a failure. Several Republicans have also demanded the resignation of the Secret Service chief, which she has rejected.
US President Joe Biden has ordered an independent investigation into the assassination attempt on Trump. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and a congressional committee will also investigate the events.
Trump and many others have questioned how the 20-year-old shooter was able to get onto the roof of a building just outside the cordoned-off area where he held his campaign meeting.
Criticism has also been directed from some right-wing profiles at the Secret Service for using female agents during the campaign meeting, which Mayorkas has defended.
"They are brave and selfless patriots who deserve our gratitude and respect," he says in a statement.
