Trump’s campaign has called for using military aircraft and vehicles in the final weeks of the race amid concerns that Iran is plotting to kill the former president.
Donald Trump has survived two recent assassination attempts and his officials have called for a series of additional protections during the final month of the campaign, according to sources familiar with the matter.
These include travel on military aircraft, additional flight restrictions over their residences and events, and the pre-positioning of ballistic glass in battleground states for outdoor demonstrations.
The requests are unprecedented for a presidential candidate.
But insiders say it would simply equal the protection given to the president or that granted to Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky, who flew on a C-17 military plane during his recent visit.
Former President Donald Trump is seen here punching bullet-resistant glass after speaking at a campaign event at the Butler Farm Show. He speaks behind protective screens after surviving an assassination attempt in July
President Joe Biden was asked about the request on Friday. He said he had cleared Trump’s security as if he were a sitting president, and that if Trump’s request falls into that category it should be granted.
Trump insiders are particularly concerned about the drone or missile threat.
The requests were made by campaign manager Susie Wiles to the head of the Secret Service beginning late last month, and were first reported by the New York Times.
They came after Trump was forced to cancel a public event in Wisconsin and switch to a news conference at a smaller venue limited to journalists due to a shortage of Secret Service agents.
There is no evidence that the two assassination attempts were related to Iran.
But last month the Trump campaign revealed that it had been briefed on the threat from Tehran.
“Major threats to my life from Iran,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. ‘The entire US military is watching and waiting.
“Iran already took measures that didn’t work, but they will try again.”
A Pakistani national has since been charged in connection with a “murder for hire” plot to assassinate a politician or government official.
One option would be to fly Trump aboard a C-17. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wore one when he visited Pennsylvania during his recent trip to the United States.
Other options include flying to Trump on one of the modified 747s that serve as Air Force One.
FBI Director Christopher Wray said it was “straight out of the Iranian regime’s playbook.”
Trump spokeswoman Danielle Alvarez declined to comment on the requests other than to say that the former president had frequently praised the work of his Secret Service.
Rep. Mike Waltz, a Trump ally, has taken up the cause. He wrote to the Secret Service, the Department of Homeland Security, the White House and the Department of Defense, according to a source familiar with the matter.
Options include flying Trump on a C-17 military aircraft or one of the converted 747s that operate as Air Force One. They are equipped with electronic countermeasures to jam hostile weapons systems, as well as flares and flares to defend against missiles.
Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said Trump was already receiving “the highest level of protection.”
“The Department of Defense regularly provides protection assistance to the former president, including explosive ordnance disposal, canine units and air transportation,” he said.