Central Louisiana News

U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) and five Republican colleagues have called for additional protective resources for President Donald Trump’s security detail following a second assassination attempt in West Palm Beach, Florida on September 15th.

In a letter to acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe, the senators demanded that Trump receive the same level of protection as President Biden and Vice President Harris. They also sought explanations for what they termed insufficient resource allocation to Trump's security detail. The recent incident marks the second failed attempt on Trump’s life within two months.

“President Trump does not have the Secret Service protective detail commensurate with the existing threat environment,” wrote the senators. “It is imperative that the USSS detail assigned to President Trump be afforded additional protective resources, including greater staffing capabilities that would allow agents to secure a broader perimeter. These measures would better safeguard President Trump’s life and help ease concerns that there will be additional attempts made.”

The letter was signed by Senators Cassidy, Marshall, Tuberville, Jim Risch (R-ID), Mike Lee (R-UT), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Rick Scott (R-FL), and Bill Hagerty (R-TN).

The senators highlighted a significant lapse in security during the September 15 event when an assailant managed to position himself approximately 400 yards from Trump and waited for about 12 hours before taking aim. They commended USSS agents for their quick action in noticing the rifle barrel through a fence and responding effectively.

Despite this response, concerns remain over previous incidents such as one on July 13 in Butler County, PA, where security failures allowed an assailant to shoot at Trump and tragically kill Corey Comperatore.

The letter detailed ongoing requests from Trump's team for more protective resources, including magnetometers and additional agents at large public gatherings, which have reportedly been denied by the USSS due to staffing shortages and other constraints.

“It is imperative that the USSS detail assigned to President Trump be afforded additional protective resources," reiterated the senators in their letter. "For this reason, we request that you take the following actions and provide answers to the questions below by September 27, 2024."