TN politicians call for heightened security around Trump after apparent assassination attempt

Gregory Raucoules
·2 min read
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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Members of Tennessee’s congressional delegate were among the voices raised in support of greater Secret Service protection for former President Donald Trump after what the FBI called an apparent assassination attempt was thwarted on Sunday.

Lawmakers returned to Capitol Hill on Monday and many Republicans criticized the Secret Service in the wake of apparent assassination attempt targeting Donald Trump. The suspect, identified as 58-year-old Ryan Routh, camped outside a golf course with food and a rifle for nearly 12 hours before agents spotted him and opened fire.

Trump thanks law enforcement for ‘incredible job’ after assassination attempt

“This is serious. It’s intolerable and we have got to stop this in this country. We are far better than this as a nation, as a people,” Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03) told 6 News. ” I condemn all types of political violence, I always have, but the Secret Service needs to do its job.”

U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) echoed the sentiment in a statement shared on social media.

I am sending a letter to the Secret Service demanding President Trump receive the same protection as President Biden. He has had two failed assassination attempts in the last two months. This is completely unacceptable.

Sen. Blackburn statement on X

Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe on Monday praised the response from agents assigned to protect Trump. He said that Trump is receiving the highest level of protection and credited President Biden’s call for additional security of his then-campaign rival for helping stop the potential attack.

“The former president’s protective apparatus allowed for the early identification of the threat and led to a safe evacuation. The increased assets directed by President Biden were in place yesterday,” Rowe said. “There’s a lot of tactical assets in place, things that have been put in place as a result of what happened 60 days ago. Those elements are working.”

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Monday that Senate Democrats are willing to provide more money for the Secret Service in an upcoming stopgap spending bill.

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