Staff Reports
Donald Trump took a moment Wednesday to express his gratitude to Congress for extending the level of protection afforded to presidential and vice-presidential candidates, a rare moment of bipartisanship that has some folks scratching their heads. In a time when political discord is commonplace, the cooperation between Republicans and Democrats over this legislation is noteworthy, especially given the unpredictable nature of 21st-century politics.
The impetus for this new protection regime came after some alarming incidents, including a July assassination attempt on Trump and another close call involving a gunman who decided his camping trip should happen near the former president’s golf retreat in Florida. The bipartisan bill happily found its way to President Biden’s desk without any “no” votes, proving that at least some things in Washington can bring folks together, even if it’s just to keep Trump under guard.
Former Pres. Trump thanked Democrats and Republicans for their bipartisan support in helping to pass a House bill that would require an equal standard of Secret Service protection to be applied to both sitting presidents and all major party candidates. https://t.co/REvEVh7yY4 pic.twitter.com/ASMHfoQK7i
— ABC News (@ABC) September 25, 2024
On his Truth Social platform, Trump remarked humorously on the amount of security surrounding him, stating he has never seen so many men armed to the teeth. Apparently, the Secret Service is feeling flush with cash, thanks to Congress’s decision to allocate more resources, which is giving taxpayers a mixed reaction. Some relish the idea of Trump being well-protected, while others might prefer the funds be funneled into less flashy governmental activities.
During his social media musings, Trump took the opportunity to address a few looming threats from abroad, particularly citing Iran’s alleged plans to harm him. He hinted that an attack on a former president is akin to issuing a “Death Wish” for the perpetrator— a notion that might give even the bravest of attackers pause. Meanwhile, reports surfaced of a Pakistani man, linked to Iran, being arrested for plotting against U.S. officials, all conveniently after Trump ordered that notorious drone strike that claimed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani.
It seems there remains a level of perplexity regarding whether this foreign connection actually links back to the recent threats against Trump. The first gunman involved in the Pennsylvania incident, who had sufficiently poor life choices, ended up paying the ultimate price, while another, currently detained in Florida, faces serious charges. The obvious question left hanging like a bad cold — where does Iran fit into all of this? The jury is still out, and while the current administration tries to provide cover, it’s clear that threats to national figures are an escalating concern.
In a twist, Biden himself ordered Trump to receive “the highest levels of protection,” embracing the absurdity that prior presidents should be treated with such reverence. Politicians might bicker over tax reform or social policies. Still, when it comes to ensuring the safety of someone seen as a continual thorn in the left’s side, those differences seem to vanish quicker than a liberal’s talking points. While some may call it a surreal sad state of affairs, others will simply call it business as usual in the political game that is America today.
