Serious questions are arising about the ability of the U.S. Secret Service to protect Donald Trump after a second assassination attempt, this time at his Florida estate in Mar-a-Lago.
The man arrested, identified as Ryan Ruth, was found hiding in bushes near the former president’s golf club in Florida while Trump was playing golf. Ruth was spotted by authorities and taken into custody shortly after gunshots were heard.
At the same time, questions about the security of presidential candidates are growing. Florida’s Republican Governor Ron DeSantis has already stated that “the public deserves to know the truth” about how a would-be assassin managed to get “so close” to the former president.
The Secret Service is facing increased pressure over whether it is doing enough and if it has the necessary resources to protect the Republican candidate.
Republican Congressman Nick Langworthy stated that Trump should have “the same level of security as a sitting president to ensure his safety.”
A similar view was expressed by Democrat Ro Khanna, who said, “The Secret Service must immediately brief Congress, tell us what resources are needed to expand the protective perimeter, and we must approve those resources with a bipartisan vote on the same day.”
Trump’s Golf Buddy Praises the Secret Service for Their Swift Response
Fox News host Sean Hannity revealed that he spoke with Donald Trump’s friend, real estate investor Steve Witkoff, who witnessed the incident on the golf course. Witkoff “could not praise enough” the Secret Service for their quick response, as they swiftly protected Trump by placing him in a golf cart, Hannity reported on Fox News.
According to Hannity, Witkoff mentioned that Trump, after ensuring his entourage was safe, began joking, saying that he needed to finish his golf round. Hannity added that the former president, laughing, said, “I had a tie round. I really wish I had finished that hole.”
Does Trump Need More Protection?
Donald Trump does not receive the same level of protection as an active president, as noted by Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw. “If he did, we would have surrounded the entire golf course,” he said.
However, two former Secret Service agents emphasized that Trump needs more protection than other former presidents, given that he is once again a candidate for the presidency. “We now need to reassess the situation,” Barry Donadio told BBC News. “Should all candidates receive the same presidential protection package? I think that should be the answer.”
Robert McDonald, a former senior official with the Secret Service, agreed. Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today program, he highlighted that the risk of attacks raises serious questions: “Will someone get a little closer? Will someone have a more powerful weapon and manage to cause serious harm?”
