Secret Service Warns of 40% Rise in Threats to Trump and Agents
Secret Service officials warn of a 40% increase in threats against Trump and agents, citing social media and mental health concerns.
2 min read
U.S. Secret Service leadership has revealed a significant rise in threats against both agents and President Donald Trump over the past year, citing social media and mental health as key factors. In a joint interview on CBS’s “60 Minutes,” Secret Service Director Sean Curran and Deputy Director Matt Quinn outlined the growing security challenges they face.
40% Increase in Threats
Curran stated that since January, there have been 10,000 threat cases against Secret Service protectees, marking a “massive increase” compared to the previous year. He emphasized that the threat level has never been seen before, with the number of threats against full-time protectees rising just over 40%.
Social Media and Mental Health
Curran attributed the surge in threats to the influence of social media, which he believes has made people more accessible and information more readily available. He noted that the world has changed significantly since 20 years ago, with new challenges posed by digital platforms.
While the Secret Service does not weigh threats through a political lens, Curran acknowledged the security concerns stemming from the January 6, 2021, Capitol protests and multiple assassination attempts against Trump. He emphasized that the agency’s focus remains on protecting the president, regardless of political affiliations.
Preparation and Security Measures
Curran highlighted the importance of preparation, particularly in response to evolving threats. He also addressed recent reports that Trump was advised to use an older U.S. aircraft instead of the new Qatari Air Force One for security reasons during a NATO event in Turkey. Curran clarified that the Secret Service and the White House did not wish for the “decoy” plot to be publicly reported, as it could compromise future security strategies.
Priority: Protecting the President
Quinn reiterated that the priority of any protective detail is the president, with all other personnel, including agents and staff, being secondary. He stressed that the mission must always be to protect the president of the United States, even if it means making difficult decisions for the greater good.
Source: OANN
