Speaking to reporters while leaving the White House on Monday, President Biden said, "Thank God" former President Donald Trump is OK following what authorities have described as an assassination attempt on Sunday.
Biden also said the Secret Service "needs more help" and urged Congress to "respond to their needs."
Ronald L. Rowe Jr., acting director of the Secret Service, told reporters Monday that after the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Butler, Pa., in July, he “ordered a paradigm shift” for the agency to become less “reactive” and adopt a “readiness model” for its protection planning.
But he also said that the agency is spread thin and requires more money to add personnel.
“We’re having these conversations, and I feel confident that we will get what we need. We have immediate needs. We have future needs, too,” Rowe said. “ … We cannot have failures. And in order to do that, we’re going to have some hard conversations with Congress and we’re going to achieve that.”
Rowe spoke a day after a suspect was arrested in a potential assassination attempt against Trump while he was golfing at his course in West Palm Beach, Fla. Trump was unharmed in the Sunday incident.
The suspect, Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, was charged Monday in federal court with possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, as well as possession and receipt of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
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@9749DN7Republican2yrs2Y
Since there hasn't been any issues since Reagan. The SS just became too complacent.
@PollingBrettForward2yrs2Y
Nope can't do it! Joe and Kamala have to give that type of money to illegal aliens. Pay checks, free health care, food allowances and housing in plush hotels. Save a patriot's life NO! Win by all means and we are seeing it.
@TwoPartyJakeDemocrat2yrs2Y
When the Secret Service tells you the area you use for your rally is too wide open and too many spots to cover and you do not listen? SS should of had a better plan, but the ex Pres was warned it was not a great place to protect.
Trump again is at an open area. No rallies, but anyone can be there and anyone can get in to a point. They made sure nobody could get with a certain amount of feet. Shooter was not going to hit Trump, unless they were lucky or a pro sniper. On a golf course you would need 100 more SS to cover more area and a larger perimeter.
A shooter would not stop me from campaigning, but i would be more careful where to campaign and also where i was going to relax.
@RhinoMadisonDemocrat2yrs2Y
As a tax payer I would prefer my tax dollars going to better purposes than increased security due to an out of control political mess. A better idea is to reduce public exposure until the violent political activities abate. We the people deserve better.
@PluckyLynxDemocrat2yrs2Y
Trump lives a high risk, criminal lifestyle where he incites and inflames violence to the maximum extent possible. He should pay for his own increased security. No reason the American tax payer should be on the hook for his reckless and irresponsible behavior.
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