Former President Donald Trump thanked Congress on Wednesday for extending presidential-level protection to major presidential and vice presidential candidates, saying it is “nice to see Republicans and Democrats get together on something.”
Lawmakers sent the bill to President Biden’s desk this week after the July 13 assassination attempt on Mr. Trump and a second apparent attempt by a gunman who camped out near Mr. Trump’s golf course in Florida.
“I am surrounded by more men, guns, and weapons than I have ever seen before. Thank you to Congress for unanimously approving far more money to Secret Service — Zero ’NO’ Votes, strictly bipartisan,” Mr. Trump posted on Truth Social.
The bill Congress passed unanimously to enhance protection for presidential candidates like Mr. Trump did not include any money. However, lawmakers are set to pass government funding legislation on Wednesday, including a $231 million boost to the Secret Service’s budget for protective operations.
Mr. Trump said that an attack on a former president “is a Death Wish for the attacker” and warned that Iran is looking to harm him.
“The entire U.S. Military is watching and waiting. Moves were already made by Iran that didn’t work out, but they will try again. Not a good situation for anyone,” Mr. Trump wrote.
On Tuesday, the Trump campaign said the Office of the Director of National Intelligence briefed Mr. Trump about “real and specific threats from Iran to assassinate him in an effort to destabilize and sow chaos in the United States.”
“Intelligence officials have identified that these continued and coordinated attacks have heightened in the past few months, and law enforcement officials across all agencies are working to ensure President Trump is protected and the election is free from interference,” campaign communication director Steven Cheung said.
Federal authorities recently arrested a Pakistani man, Asif Merchant, in connection with an alleged plot to kill U.S. officials.
Authorities have described Mr. Merchant as having close ties to Iran, but many key questions, including whether he has direct links to the government in Tehran, remain unanswered.
U.S. officials suggested the plot was part of Iran’s attempt to retaliate for the 2020 U.S. military drone strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani — a strike ordered by Mr. Trump.
There is no known connection between Iran and the two men involved in the recent attempts on Mr. Trump’s life.
The first gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, was killed during the incident in Butler County, Pennsylvania. Ryan Wesley Routh is being held and charged with attempting to assassinate a former president in the Florida incident.
Secret Service acting Director Ronald Rowe said at a news conference Friday that Mr. Trump is already “getting everything that the current president has with respect to Secret Service assets.”
That’s because Mr. Biden ordered “the highest levels of protection” for Mr. Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, after the Butler shooting, he said.
• Ben Wolfgang and Lindsey McPherson contributed to this report.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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