The U.S. Secret Service increased protection around former President Donald Trump in response to a threat from Iran prior to the attempted assassination at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday. However, officials have stated that the threat does not appear to be related to the attack itself.
The Biden administration informed senior officials at the Secret Service of the threat, leading to a surge in resources and assets for Trump's protection detail. Despite this increase in security measures, the attack still occurred, resulting in injuries to Trump and several others, including one fatality.
The National Security Council spokesperson, Adrienne Watson, stated that Iranian threats against former Trump administration officials have been monitored for years, stemming from Iran's desire for revenge following the killing of Qassem Soleimani. Soleimani, who led the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps's Quds Force, was killed by a drone strike ordered by Trump in 2020.
Law enforcement officials have not found any ties between the shooter at the rally and any accomplices, either domestic or foreign. In the aftermath of the attack, federal law enforcement warned of potential copycat attacks or election-related retaliation.
Following the incident, President Joe Biden and independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. received increased Secret Service protection. Threats and violent rhetoric online have raised concerns, with some online communities discussing and encouraging acts of violence in response to the attempted assassination.
Overall, the situation surrounding the attempted assassination of Donald Trump at the rally in Pennsylvania is complex and ongoing, with multiple agencies involved in investigating and monitoring potential threats. The safety and security of political figures remain a top priority for law enforcement and intelligence agencies in light of recent events.