The Secret Service is facing scrutiny after a second assassination attempt on former President Trump. The agency is operating with fewer employees than authorized, and agents say it lacks resources.
The Secret Service is under fire following a second assassination attempt on former President Trump, with lawmakers now considering providing more funding to the agency.
A report by Reuters reveals that the Secret Service is currently operating with about 400 fewer employees than what Congress has authorized, leaving the agency short-staffed and facing fresh scrutiny.
Congress Considers Boosting Secret Service Funding after Assassination Attempt on Former President Trump
As of February, the Secret Service employed 7,879 people, falling short of the around 8,300 staffers that the agency's annual budget calls for.
Former agent Bill Gage told Reuters, "The Secret Service does not have the resources, it doesn’t have the bodies."
Congress Considers Boosting Secret Service Funding after Assassination Attempt on Former President Trump
The latest attempt on Trump's life was thwarted by a Secret Service agent who opened fire at an armed man stationed near the perimeter fence of the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Former agents told Reuters that Trump's desire to play golf on his own courses creates additional security challenges, as these locations are not as easily shut down to the public as military golf courses used by past presidents.
Congress Considers Boosting Secret Service Funding after Assassination Attempt on Former President Trump
The Secret Service has also had to expand its protective coverage to a wider group of officials since President Biden dropped his re-election bid in July, placing further strain on its staff.
"The pace, the expectations, the pressure has never been worse than it is right now," said former agent Kenneth Valentine.
Congress Considers Boosting Secret Service Funding after Assassination Attempt on Former President Trump
Acting Director Ronald Rowe told Congress in July that only 2% of applicants are hired for the Secret Service due to the demanding nature of the job, while the agency is also grappling with staff leaving for lucrative positions in the private sector.
In 2022, former director James Murray outlined a plan to have 8,305 Secret Service staff members by 2023 and 10,000 by 2027, according to Reuters.
The Secret Service is now requesting additional funding to boost its manpower and enhance its security measures. Congress is expected to consider the agency's request in the coming months.
The second assassination attempt on Trump has raised serious concerns about the Secret Service's ability to protect the nation's leaders and its ongoing staffing challenges.
