No increased security threat in Michigan, but here's what Secret Service might do after Trump assassination attempt

The U.S. Secret Service can't and won't make the same mistake twice when former President Donald Trump makes his way to Grand Rapids this weekend, according to the former head of the FBI in Detroit.

A gunman was able to attempt an assassination of Trump on Saturday from the roof of a building during a Pennsylvania campaign rally. Former fed Andrew Arena expects Secret Service to double check its list of potential threats going forward, and make sure every agent is doing what they're supposed to be doing.

"The Secret Service, that's their job and they’re the best in the world at it," Arena said.

"Did they not have enough assets, resources? Did they just miss that building? Did somebody have that assignment and didn’t cover it? What went wrong here?" Arena asked of Saturday's assassination attempt.

The roof from where the shooter fired would be a logical spot for potential threats, Arena said — it was about 150 yards from where Trump was speaking. Still, the shooter, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was able to fire rounds at the former president, injuring his ear. A supporter of Trump at the rally was killed, two others critically injured. The Secret Service fatally shot Crooks.

Arena called the assassination attempt an "embarrassment" for the federal agency.

"It can't happen again," he said.

Michigan is a crucial state for candidates — whoever wins the upcoming election will likely need to win in Michigan. There have been at least eight visits from President Joe Biden and Trump to the state since February. That number doesn't include Michigan stops from other top officials, like Vice President Kamala Harris, who visited west Michigan on Wednesday.

Trump is taking his just-announced running mate, U.S. Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, on the campaign trail to Grand Rapids on Saturday.

Chief Eric Winstrom of the Grand Rapids Police Department said his force will be ready.

“GRPD is working closely with our federal partners on planning for Saturday’s campaign event, just as we have for past events and just as we will for future ones," Winstrom said Wednesday in a statement. "We are approaching Saturday’s event in the same way we do for the myriad events, large and small, that take place in Grand Rapids – with solid operational planning, effective resource deployment, and an unwavering commitment to the safety of the community we serve.”

There's no increased security threat in Michigan at this time, according to Lt. Michael Shaw, an MSP spokesperson. MSP is communicating with federal and state law enforcement agencies, Shaw said.

Still, Arena said, Secret Service may ask its local, state, and federal partners in Michigan for more assets than usual, including more officers and other resources.

Detroit Police Deputy Chief Arnold Williams said that whatever the Secret Service ends up asking the department during future presidential visits, "we will provide."

"Everything we do is in partnership," Williams continued. They'll share information among the Secret Service, federal and state law enforcement agencies, he said. The department also has its own security detail assigned to presidential events.

The Secret Service did not immediately respond to Detroit Free Press requests for comment.

Andrea Sahouri covers criminal justice for the Detroit Free Press. She can be contacted at asahouri@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Secret Service expected to buckle down for Trump, Vance in Michigan