To ensure the safety of former President Donald Trump at upcoming outdoor campaign events, the Secret Service will employ ballistic glass protection, NBS News reports, citing sources familiar with the planning and a Trump campaign official.
Bulletproof glass of that kind is already available to sitting presidents and vice presidents. It is transported using military aircraft whenever the president travels, but Trump, a candidate and former president, does not have access to such military transportation support. Sources who asked not to be named to discuss sensitive security provisions said the ballistic glass will now be positioned around the country and moved in by agents who will be responsible for guarding it.
Not every outdoor event will require ballistic glass, but to better protect Trump, it is likely to be used whenever there are issues at specific sites or there are needs for added security.
It is one of several security measures previously used only for officeholders but that are now being added to Trump’s protection after a failed assassination attempt, one of the officials said.
The official said the Secret Service is also increasing staffing and technology to mitigate threats around Trump during outdoor rallies, as well as more increasing threat analysis and prevention for all protective details, including deploying counter-snipers and countersurveillance.
The Secret Service faced intense scrutiny and criticism after a gunman fired multiple times at Trump during an outdoor rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, wounding him and two rallygoers and killing another person.
After a shooting incident, the head of the Secret Service, Kimberly Cheatle, quit her job. Trump hasn’t held any campaign events outdoors since he was targeted in an asassination attempt on July 13.
