The Secret Service ramped up security measures for former President Donald Trump after thwarting an Iranian assassination plot, just weeks before Thomas Crook’s attempt on Trump’s life. A senior national security official revealed that USSS was alerted to the increased threat through a threat stream, prompting them to escalate protection for Trump in advance of the danger.
Despite the correlation in timing, Crook’s attack seems unrelated to the Iranian plot, as per CNN sources. An ex-law enforcement officer familiar with Secret Service operations noted that the protective detail for Trump appeared routine, and the Trump campaign declined to comment on security specifics, directing inquiries to USSS.
Iran’s hostility towards Trump has been evident since the assassination of Qasem Soleimani, with subsequent threats against administration officials like John Bolton. Although figures like Mike Pompeo and Robert O’Brien once had Secret Service protection, this was discontinued last year. The evolving threats underscore the ongoing security challenges faced by high-profile individuals like former President Trump.