The campaign team of US presidential candidate Donald Trump has requested military aircraft for additional security during Trump's flights in the final weeks of the campaign.
This is due to threats that those around Trump expect from Iran, which is actively fighting Israel.
According to The Washington Post, the increased security measures also include expanded restrictions on flights over his residences and rallies, bulletproof glass, and multiple military vehicles to transport Trump.
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Trump has requested US military aircraft for his protection
The newspaper notes that such requests are “unusual and unprecedented”, since no candidate in modern US history has been transported on military aircraft before the election.
The requests from Trump's campaign came after the US presidential candidate's advisers received information in which the government stated that Iran was still actively plotting to assassinate him, WP writes, citing letters received by the publication. Trump's advisers have become increasingly concerned about the threat of drones and missiles, the people said.
Secret Service officials did not respond to specific questions about their discussions with the Trump campaign, but service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement that Trump is receiving the “highest level of protection.”
Also, a letter sent to the campaign by Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe Jr. said the government is evaluating what additional security equipment can be provided to Trump.
— The former president regularly receives assistance from the Defense Department to protect him, including bomb disposal, canine units and airlift,— Guglielmi said.
The Secret Service is also imposing temporary restrictions on flights “over the former president's residence and during his travels,”, he added.
— In addition, the former president is provided with the highest level of security technology, including unmanned aerial vehicles, counter-drone systems, ballistic and other advanced technological systems, — the representative of the Service added.
It is noteworthy that former American officials, writes WP, say that they are not aware of any presidential candidate receiving a military aircraft. One person who has served in senior Republican positions under several administrations said it would be “unusual” if the Secret Service granted such a request.
Trump's opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, receives Marine Corps protection as vice president and flies on Air Force Two, which is a military aircraft.
Biden responds to Trump's security request
Reacting to the claims, US President Joe Biden said Trump should be given the same level of security as if he were the sitting president.
Biden also added that Trump's request to use the military would be granted if it was appropriate rules for protecting the sitting president, Reuters writes.
The U.S. Secret Service has come under fire in the past for the first assassination attempt on Trump in July, which led to the resignation of its director and other changes to its security system.
However, it is generally accepted that there were two assassination attempts on Trump during the U.S. election campaign. The second occurred while Trump was playing golf in Pennsylvania, and a shootout between a man and a Secret Service officer occurred near his location.
