A shocking revelation emerges as a Secret Service agent discloses a year-old warning about a potential Iranian drone attack on former President Donald Trump.
According to the New York Post, the agent's testimony before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs permanent investigative subcommittee unveiled this critical intelligence.
The unidentified agent, who was present during the July 13 attack on Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, confirmed being informed about an active threat. When pressed for details, the agent initially hesitated due to concerns about disclosing classified information but eventually revealed knowledge of a possible drone attack.
Iran's animosity towards Trump and his former administration members, including ex-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former national security adviser John Bolton, has been well-documented. This hostility stems from the U.S.-directed assassination of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani on January 3, 2020.
The agent's testimony marks the first public confirmation of specific threats against Trump's life by Tehran. This revelation adds a new dimension to the ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran, highlighting the persistent danger faced by former high-ranking U.S. officials.
The agent recalled being briefed on the threat around June 4, 2023, when joining Trump's protective detail. This timeline suggests that the Secret Service had been aware of the potential danger for over a year before the recent attacks on Trump.
The agent expressed significant concern about the Secret Service's preparedness for such threats, particularly regarding drone detection capabilities. The agent stated:
It shocked me, like just being out there. They're planning to have a protectee with 15-, 20,000 people, in an outdoor event, when there's an active threat for the drone attack.
The agent further explained that while the Secret Service doesn't make decisions about event locations, its responsibility lies in ensuring a secure site and implementing a robust security plan. This revelation highlights the complex balance between public engagement and security considerations for political figures.
In light of these disclosures, Trump and his presidential campaign have acknowledged the persistence of active threats against him from Iran. Trump took to social media to address the situation, expressing gratitude for increased security measures and bipartisan support for additional Secret Service funding.
The former president's statement reflects the seriousness of the threat:
Big threats on my life by Iran. The entire U.S. Military [sic] is watching and waiting.
This acknowledgment from Trump himself adds weight to the agent's testimony and underscores the ongoing nature of the threat.
Concurrent with these revelations, an Iranian-made animation depicting a hypothetical assassination of Trump and Pompeo resurfaced online. This animation, which won a Tehran-sponsored contest, shows a small rolling drone infiltrating Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate and targeting him and his allies with an aerial drone.
The Secret Service agent's testimony has brought to light a significant security concern regarding potential Iranian threats against former President Donald Trump. The disclosure of a year-old warning about a possible drone attack raises questions about security preparedness and the ongoing risks faced by high-profile political figures. Trump's acknowledgment of these threats and the resurfacing of Iranian propaganda material underscore the complex and persistent nature of international tensions and personal security challenges in the political sphere.