US learned of Iran plot to kill Donald Trump, no known link to rally shooting
- The Secret Service boosted the ex-US president’s protection after learning of the threat, which Iran has denied
The US Secret Service increased security around former US president Donald Trump after obtaining intelligence in recent weeks of an Iranian plot to assassinate him, according to people familiar with the situation.
The White House declined to comment, but said there were no indications that Thomas Matthew Crooks, the suspected shooter in Saturday’s attempted assassination of Trump, had any foreign or domestic accomplices.
Iran said the accusations against it were “unsubstantiated and malicious”.
The White House contacted the Secret Service about the threat, which conveyed information about the Iranian effort to Trump’s campaign, according to one of the people.
The Secret Service subsequently increased resources and assets to assist in Trump’s protection, the person said.
The Secret Service and its chief, Kimberly Cheatle, have come under intense scrutiny since Trump’s extremely close call in Pennsylvania. Cheatle said in an interview Monday on ABC News that the agency’s failure was “unacceptable” and “something that shouldn’t happen again”.