There was no indication that Thomas Matthew Crooks, who tried to assassinate Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, was connected to the plot, the report said.
Two US officials told the Associated Press that the US Secret Service and the Trump campaign were made aware of the Iranian threat, prompting a surge in resources and assets, which ultimately did not prevent Saturday’s attack.
National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said there have been no ties identified between the gunman at the rally “and any accomplice or co-conspirator, foreign or domestic.”
Trump’s campaign has been warned several times that it would be better off holding rallies indoors, as there are greater risks posed by hosting them out in the open, CNN stated, but until recently, these had been general warnings.
Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi told CNN that the agency recently “added protective resources and capabilities to the former president’s security detail.”
The agency has come under scrutiny in recent days after the gunman at Saturday’s rally gained access to a roof unimpeded and fired directly at Trump, grazing his ear, killing a rallygoer and critically wounding two other attendees.
While law enforcement officials had long been concerned about the possibility of Iranian plans to harm the former president, recent intelligence indicated an increased threat, CNN reported, citing sources with knowledge on the matter. READ MORE
