Categories: U.S.

Trump assassination attempt: Secret Service 400 employees short of what Congress authorized: report

close Video

Congress considers giving more funding to the Secret Service

 Fox News senior congressional correspondent Chad Pergram has the latest on the Secret Service funding debate following the second assassination attempt on former President Trump on ‘America Reports.’

The Secret Service is currently operating with about 400 fewer employees than what Congress has authorized as the agency is facing fresh scrutiny in the wake of the second Trump assassination attempt, a report says. 

As of February, there were 7,879 people employed by the Secret Service, according to government records viewed by Reuters, which falls short of the around 8,300 staffers that the agency’s annual budget calls for. 

“The Secret Service does not have the resources, it doesn’t have the bodies,” former agent Bill Gage told the news agency. 

The latest attempt on Trump’s life was thwarted on Sunday by a Secret Service agent who opened fire at an armed man stationed near the perimeter fence of the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida. That suspect, Ryan Routh, was later tracked down and taken into custody. 

TRUMP ASSASSINATION PLOT EXPOSES RYAN ROUTH’S BOMB BUST, BARRICADE WITH ILLEGAL GUN IN PROFESSIONAL DEMISE 

FBI investigators gather evidence from the perimeter of Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida on Monday. Ryan Routh was arrested earlier this week after allegedly attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump while hiding in the bushes along the golf course.  (Mega for Fox News Digital)

Former agents told Reuters that Trump’s desire to play golf on his own courses – such as the one he was playing on Sunday, which is a short distance from his Mar-a-Lago residence – generates additional security challenges. The agents say past presidents such as Barack Obama and Bill Clinton usually played on military golf courses that could be shut down to the public. 

The agents also told Reuters that the Secret Service has had to expand its protective coverage to a wider group of officials since President Biden dropped his re-election bid in July, placing further strain on its staff. 

TRUMP REVEALS ‘WEAKNESS’ IN EFFORTS TO KEEP HIM SAFE, SAYS HIS TEAM HAS ‘LONG REQUESTED’ MORE MANPOWER 

Former President Trump was injured during an assassination attempt at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

“The pace, the expectations, the pressure has never been worse than it is right now,” said former agent Kenneth Valentine. 

Acting Director Ronald Rowe said to Congress in July that only 2% of applicants are hired for the Secret Service due to the demanding nature of the job, while the agency is also grappling with staff leaving for lucrative positions in the private sector, Reuters reports. 

FBI investigators gather evidence in West Palm Beach, Florida, following the second Trump assassination attempt.   (Mega for Fox News Digital)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP 

In 2022, former director James Murray outlined to Congress a plan to have 8,305 Secret Service staff members by 2023 and 10,000 by 2027, according to Reuters. 

Greg Norman is a reporter at Fox News Digital.

Share

Recent Posts

A tiny grain of nuclear fuel is pulled from ruined Japanese nuclear plant, in a step toward cleanup

close Video Fox News Flash top headlines for November 7 Fox News Flash top headlines…

1 hour ago

British doctor jailed for trying to kill mother’s partner with fake COVID jab

close Video Fox News Flash top headlines for November 6 Fox News Flash top headlines…

1 hour ago

Menendez brothers: What George Gascon’s election loss means for upcoming resentencing

close Video Los Angeles County DA George Gascon defeated by challenger Nathan Hochman District Attorney-elect…

1 hour ago

South Carolina pastor arrested after confrontation with protesters over wife’s death

close Video South Carolina woman Mica Miller calls 911 in final moments before her death…

1 hour ago

McCormick eyes ‘ruby red’ county to put him over the top in tight PA Senate battle

Longtime Democratic Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey and Republican challenger Dave McCormick are still wading through…

2 hours ago

Vance’s orbit reveals what role he will play in Trump’s second administration

Sources in Vice President-elect JD Vance’s political orbit say his role in Donald Trump’s upcoming…

2 hours ago