Trump makes unusual demands for his protection

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Lerato Khumalo

Donald Trump’s campaign team has apparently asked for military aircraft to protect the former president. That would be a novelty.

Donald Trump wants to fly in military aircraft for the remaining campaign appearances. According to emails from his campaign team, the former president is also said to have requested that there be no overflights at his Mar-a-Lago residence and at his events, reports the Washington Post.

Republican Representative Michael Waltz, a Trump ally who sits on the House Intelligence Committee and is leading the investigation into the Butler assassination, is said to have contacted the Secret Service with the unusual request. According to the newspaper, he asked for military aircraft or additional protection for Trump’s private plane.

The requests are said to be related to Iran’s attempts to assassinate Trump. The US government has given relevant information. Accordingly, Trump advisors are concerned that there could be attacks with drones or missiles.

In emails sent over the last two weeks by campaign manager Susie Wiles to Ronald L. Rowe Jr., the head of the Secret Service, she expressed her displeasure with the Secret Service, according to The Washington Post . She wrote that the campaign recently had to cancel a public event at the last minute because the Secret Service was “short-staffed” — instead, Trump was just brought into a small room with reporters. The US authority had announced that there could be personnel problems due to the UN General Assembly.

The Secret Service did not respond directly to the demands. According to the newspaper, a letter to Trump’s team said: “The Department of Defense regularly provides support for the protection of the former president, including explosive disposal, dog teams and airlifts,” said Guglielmi. The Secret Service is also imposing temporary flight restrictions “over the former president’s residence and when he travels,” he added.

President Joe Biden appeared receptive to increased security measures for the campaign on Friday, telling reporters he had told the department to give him whatever he needed. “As long as he doesn’t ask about F-15s,” Biden said at the White House, but obviously meant the reference to fighter jets as a joke. Biden said the Republican presidential nominee should be treated “as if he were a sitting president.”

Former U.S. officials said they were not aware of any presidential candidate having previously been provided with a military jet, according to the report. A person who has served in senior roles under several Republican administrations said it would be “extraordinary” for the Secret Service to grant such a request.

Kamala Harris is allowed to fly in military aircraft and helicopters because she is the sitting vice president of the United States.