Following the July 12 shooting incident during a rally in Pennsylvania, the Trump campaign ceased holding outdoor events. The Secret Service, responsible for the former president’s security, has now implemented enhanced measures to allow Donald Trump to safely address outdoor rallies once again. This comes as a response to the assassination attempt, marking the first on a U.S. presidential candidate since 1972.
Reports from ABC and The Washington Post, citing anonymous sources familiar with the matter, reveal that the Secret Service has introduced unprecedented security measures, typically reserved for sitting presidents. Among these measures is the use of bulletproof glass, a privilege traditionally not extended to former presidents or presidential candidates.
“Former presidents and candidates don’t normally get bulletproof glass or support from the Department of Defense,” an official told The Washington Post, adding that the logistics of transporting this protective glass to various rally locations involve significant coordination and effort.
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The Secret Service recommended halting outdoor rallies immediately after the July 12 shooting. Since then, Trump has hosted over a dozen campaign events, but all have been held indoors.
The assassination attempt also led to significant leadership changes within the Secret Service. Kimberley Cheatle, who was the director at the time of the shooting, resigned shortly after testifying before Congress about the incident. Her resignation followed bipartisan criticism of her handling of the crisis. Ronald Rowe Jr., the acting head of the Secret Service, has since taken charge, finalizing the new security protocols, including the deployment of ballistic glass and other enhanced protective measures.
