Funding for Secret Service Under Scrutiny Following Trump Rally Incident
- An assassination attempt against former President Trump has led to a scrutiny of Secret Service funding.
- In response, a Senate committee delayed a planned markup for the Department of Homeland Security budget.
- This delay gives lawmakers time to reassess the necessary financial support for the Secret Service.
Lawmakers are questioning the funding allocated to the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) for Fiscal Year 2025 in light of a recent assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13. The attack resulted in the death of Corey Comperatore and left two others injured, prompting concerns about the agency's preparedness and resource allocation. Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Katie Britt (R-AL) have reached out to Acting USSS Director Ronald Rowe, emphasizing the need for a thorough review of the agency's funding and operational effectiveness. The Senate Committee on Appropriations has postponed a planned markup for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding to allow for further discussions on the Secret Service's financial requirements. In their correspondence, Murphy and Britt highlighted that Congress allocated over $3 billion to the USSS last year, with $190 million specifically earmarked for the 2024 presidential campaign. They also noted an additional $22 million was provided for protection-related travel costs, raising questions about the sufficiency of these funds as the agency's responsibilities expand. The senators are seeking clarity on how the USSS has utilized the funding provided for 2024, particularly regarding the level of protection afforded to Trump's rally compared to President Biden's event the day before. They are also inquiring whether the Secret Service denied any requests for additional personnel from the Trump campaign and if there are any anticipated funding shortfalls for the upcoming fiscal year.