The Biden administration has requested special permission from Congress to increase Secret Service funding, warning that without additional resources, the agency may struggle to enhance protective measures.
According to BBC News, this move follows a second apparent assassination attempt on Donald Trump, the former U.S. president and current Republican presidential candidate, leading to increased scrutiny of his security arrangements.
What Security is Trump Entitled to?
While the exact number of agents assigned to Donald Trump is not public, experts estimate that around 80 Secret Service agents are dedicated to his protection at any given time. As BBC reports, this is in contrast to the 300 agents typically assigned to a sitting president or vice president. Secret Service expert Ronald Kessler shared with BBC that around 90 to 100 agents overall provide protection for former presidents like Trump.
Former Secret Service agent Michael Matranga explained to BBC that Trump enjoys a higher level of security than other ex-presidents due to the heightened threats. He noted that, in addition to the usual close-protection officers, Trump’s detail includes counter-sniper, counter-assault, and counter-surveillance teams — additional resources typically reserved for active presidents.
“While there is always room to increase security,” Matranga told BBC, “it’s important to find a balance where the president can engage with the public without being confined to a bulletproof box.”
How Has Trump’s Security Changed?
After intelligence reports indicated an Iranian plot to assassinate Trump, the Secret Service heightened its protective measures. Following a recent attempt on Trump’s life in Pennsylvania, acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe confirmed to BBC that the agency has ramped up security by increasing staffing, deploying drones for surveillance, and improving communication protocols.
Former Secret Service agent Jason Russell also spoke to BBC, noting that the level of protection surrounding Trump has been significantly elevated since he became the Republican presidential nominee. However, he emphasized that the resources dedicated to Trump’s security still fall short of those for a sitting president or vice president.
Secret Service Budget and Staffing
According to BBC, the Secret Service’s 2024 budget stands at $3.1 billion, with more than $1 billion allocated specifically to protecting individuals and facilities. The agency has approximately 8,000 employees, nearly half of whom work full-time in protective operations. Despite this, Ronald Kessler told BBC that the Secret Service continues to face challenges in adequately staffing protective details, including Trump’s.
“The agency is struggling with a lack of money and staff,” Kessler explained, noting that the total budget is comparable to the cost of a single stealth bomber, which highlights the financial constraints facing the Secret Service.
Concerns About Trump’s Schedule and Security
Questions have been raised about how the suspect in the Pennsylvania assassination attempt knew Trump would be at the golf course. According to BBC, the former president did not publicly share his schedule ahead of the visit, which led to concerns about how his movements were tracked. Michael Matranga, speaking to BBC, voiced similar worries, noting that Trump’s appearance at the West Palm Beach course was not widely known.
While BBC has reported that Trump frequently travels to Mar-a-Lago, making it a reasonable assumption that he could be in the area, the Pennsylvania golf course visit was reportedly a last-minute addition to his schedule, according to sources cited by CNN. This has led to increased scrutiny of how the Secret Service handles Trump’s security, particularly when it comes to unscheduled appearances.
