In recent weeks, the United States received intelligence indicating an Iranian plot to assassinate former President Donald Trump, according to CNN. A U.S. official confirmed that the Secret Service had shared details of an increased threat with the Trump campaign.
The White House declined to comment on the matter but noted there were no signs that the suspect involved in Saturday’s attempted assassination of Trump had any foreign or domestic accomplices. Iran has called the accusations “unsubstantiated and malicious.”
U.S. officials have been concerned for years about potential retaliation from Tehran following Trump’s 2020 order to kill Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani. Adrienne Watson, spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, stated, “As we have said many times, we have been tracking Iranian threats against former Trump administration officials for years, dating back to the last administration. These threats arise from Iran’s desire to seek revenge for the killing of Qassem Soleimani. We consider this a national and homeland security matter of the highest priority.”
CNN reported that the intelligence on the Iranian plot came from a human source. Upon learning of the increased threat, the National Security Council informed the Secret Service, which enhanced security measures for Trump. The Trump campaign was also notified of the evolving threat.
According to national security officials, protection for Trump was intensified several weeks ago due to the Iranian plot. Despite the increased security, questions remain about how Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, managed to get close enough to fire at Trump during a rally in Pennsylvania.
Intelligence sources told CBS that the Secret Service had bolstered security in June, adding extra counter-assault and counter-sniper agents, drones, and robotic dogs in response to the Iranian threat. Trump and other officials, including former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, have faced threats from Tehran since the 2020 drone strike on Soleimani.
The Iranian mission at the United Nations dismissed the report, labeling Trump “a criminal who must be prosecuted and punished in a court of law.” Anthony Guglielmi, a spokesperson for the Secret Service, stated, “We cannot comment on any specific threat stream, other than to say that the Secret Service takes threats seriously and responds accordingly.”
The Trump campaign declined to comment on security matters, referring inquiries to the Secret Service. Watson emphasized that U.S. security officials have been “tracking Iranian threats against former Trump administration officials for years” and reiterated that the investigation has not found any ties between Crooks and “any accomplice or co-conspirator, foreign or domestic.”
In 2022, the Department of Justice announced charges against a member of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, alleging a plot to kill former National Security Advisor John Bolton, likely in retaliation for Soleimani’s killing.
President Joe Biden has ordered an independent review of how the gunman managed to get so close to Trump. The Secret Service also faces investigations from Congress.
Key Points:
- Intelligence Received:
- The U.S. recently obtained intelligence about an Iranian plot to assassinate former President Donald Trump.
- Enhanced Security:
- The Secret Service increased protection for Trump several weeks ago, including additional agents, drones, and robotic dogs.
- White House and National Security Response:
- The White House has been tracking Iranian threats against former Trump administration officials for years.
- Adrienne Watson of the National Security Council stated that threats arise from Iran’s desire for revenge over Qassem Soleimani’s killing.
- Attempted Assassination Incident:
- On Saturday, Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, attempted to assassinate Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania.
- The White House indicated there were no signs that Crooks had foreign or domestic accomplices.
- Iran’s Denial:
- Iran called the accusations against it “unsubstantiated and malicious” and demanded Trump’s prosecution for Soleimani’s killing.
- Investigation and Security Measures:
- An independent review ordered by President Joe Biden is investigating how the gunman managed to get close to Trump.
- Congress is also conducting probes into the security breach.
- Historical Context:
- Trump and former officials, including Mike Pompeo, have faced threats since the 2020 drone strike on Soleimani.
- In 2022, the DOJ announced charges against an IRGC member for a plot to kill John Bolton, likely in retaliation for Soleimani’s death.
