Donald Trump, the Republican candidate for the upcoming U.S. presidential elections, has made “unprecedented and extraordinary” security requests after his advisors received intelligence briefings indicating that Iran is still actively plotting to kill him, according to a report by The Washington Post on Friday.
Unusual Security Demands
Trump’s campaign requested a military aircraft for his travel during the final weeks of the campaign, expanded no-fly zones over his residences and campaign events, and the use of military vehicles for his transportation. These requests, outlined in internal emails reviewed by The Washington Post and confirmed by sources familiar with the situation, represent a level of security never before seen in modern U.S. election campaigns.
The report noted that no candidate in recent history has been transported via military aircraft prior to an election.
Security Concerns
These demands followed intelligence briefings provided to Trump’s advisors, warning that Iran continues to conspire to assassinate the former president. In emails sent over the past two weeks, Susie Wiles, Trump’s campaign manager, expressed dissatisfaction with the Secret Service, citing a shortage of agents that forced the last-minute cancellation of a public event.
Wiles also indicated that the campaign anticipates further security challenges due to ongoing threats and is pushing for a more comprehensive protection plan from the U.S. government.
Government Response
Michael Waltz, a Florida Republican and Trump ally, wrote to the Secret Service requesting military aircraft or additional protection for Trump’s private jet.
In response, Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi stated that Trump receives the highest level of protection and that the government is assessing additional measures. He added that the Department of Defense regularly provides assistance, including bomb disposal units, canine teams, and aerial transportation.
Iran Assassination Threat
On September 25, Trump’s campaign announced that U.S. intelligence officials had warned the former president about “real and specific” assassination threats from Iran, which aim to destabilize the U.S. and spread chaos. The intelligence briefing indicated that these “coordinated attacks” had intensified in recent months, prompting government officials to work closely on ensuring Trump’s safety and preventing any impact on the election process.
Iran has previously denied similar accusations, calling them “malicious.”
