This warning also extends to Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, according to American and British intelligence sources who spoke to the British outlet i News. Officials attribute the escalating threat level to incendiary social media rhetoric and the easy availability of firearms, factors they say make it difficult for the Secret Service to manage the risks facing both major political campaigns. The agency has come under intense scrutiny after two assassination attempts on Trump in as many months. The first incident occurred on July 13, during an outdoor rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. As Trump spoke, a bullet was fired at him, but he fortuitously turned his head at the moment of the shot. The bullet grazed his ear, missing its intended target. One rally attendee was killed, and two others were injured in the attack. A second attempt took place just two days ago at a Palm Beach golf course where Trump was playing. A Secret Service agent noticed the barrel of a 7.62-caliber rifle sticking out of a fence, with the assailant positioned just 300 to 500 yards away from the former president. After the agent opened fire, the suspect fled but was apprehended about 40 miles north on Interstate 95. An unnamed U.S. intelligence official told i News that social media rhetoric that “encourages violence with no end in sight” is driving an increase in attacks against political figures. “The rise of individual actors who are not affiliated with any specific traditional ideology or organization continues to be the threat pattern,” they said. “These folks have relatively easy access to weapons and technology they can use in an attack.” The official added that the Secret Service lacks the resources to track every “extreme narrative on the internet,” creating gaps through which radicalized individuals may slip, and warned of the potential for copycat attacks. “Political rhetoric has fueled sentiments that not only should a candidate be defeated at the ballot, but that if they win freedom our democracy will end. This is a change in our society,” they told the outlet. “Sadly, I think we will see other incidents related to candidates.” Following the second attempt on Trump's life, his campaign released a statement citing more than 50 examples of extreme rhetoric by Democratic figures, arguing that Trump and the Republican Party are viewed not merely as political opponents but as existential threats to America's future.The U.S. Secret Service has quietly informed its counterparts that it cannot guarantee the prevention of further shootings aimed at protectees, including former President Donald Trump, following recent assassination attempts.
🚨 BREAKING: Trump campaign sends out a LONG LIST OF RECEIPTS of Democrats' rhetoric that "inspired another attempt on President Trump's life"
The campaign laid out over 50 unique quotes and provided sources for each. pic.twitter.com/V31HlPq8l8
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) September 16, 2024 Over recent years, both Republicans and Democrats have accused each other of intensifying political rhetoric. Recent surveys show an increasing number of Americans believe violence is an acceptable means of achieving political objectives. This summer, a survey by the University of Chicago’s Project on Security & Threats (CPOST) found that 10 percent of U.S. adults — equivalent to 26 million people — believe violence is justified to prevent Trump from returning to the White House. Meanwhile, 6.9 percent (18 million people) support the use of violence to restore Trump to the presidency, with 22.6 percent (58 million people) undecided.
30 million say “use of force” justified to prevent another Trump presidency, compared to 18 million who say same about restoring Trump presidency, per @ProfessorPape on @FaceTheNation. pic.twitter.com/KBHZO9cNsd CPOST Director Robert Pape, in a recent op-ed, noted that the trends leading to the Trump assassination attempts had “been building for some time.” He described the current moment as one of political violence not seen in the U.S. since the 1960s. Citing CPOST’s recent survey, he explained that the attempt on Trump’s life was “in line with expectations” based on the survey results. “Worse, there are other findings that suggest reason to be concerned that political violence could escalate after the Trump assassination attempt,” suggesting that officials must “be prepared for political violence in retaliation in the coming months.”
— Brent Baker 🇺🇦 🇮🇱 (@BrentHBaker) August 13, 2023
