Former US President Donald Trump has claimed that he was forced to hold a campaign rally in a 750-seat theatre due to what he says was a lack of Secret Service protection. Trump alleges that Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden diverted Secret Service assets to protect the President of Iran, whom he accuses of plotting against him.
In a post on his Truth Social platform on Monday, Trump criticized Harris and Biden for making it challenging for him to campaign effectively. He stated that a recent rally in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, had to be relocated to the smaller venue, turning away over 50,000 people, citing inadequate Secret Service coverage as the reason for the downsized event.
Trump’s campaign had previously disclosed that US intelligence officials had warned him about specific threats from Iran to assassinate him in a bid to sow chaos in the US. The Iranian government has not responded to these allegations, and it remains uncertain if the threats are recent or related to past incidents.
While the Secret Service confirmed that resources were stretched thin during the UN General Assembly meeting in New York, they did not indicate any intentional withholding of protection for Trump at the request of Harris or Biden. A Secret Service official acknowledged the challenges of ensuring the safety of numerous world leaders amid heightened global security concerns.
Despite complaints from Trump and his team, the rally that was initially planned for an outdoor venue was ultimately relocated to the indoor theatre. The campaign’s assertions highlight the ongoing tensions between Trump and his political adversaries as the 2024 elections draw closer.