US intelligence agencies uncovered an Iranian plot to assassinate former President Donald Trump weeks before the July 13 attack in Butler, Pennsylvania, according to multiple sources. In response to this threat, the Secret Service increased security measures for Trump and informed his campaign team of the evolving threat. However, officials emphasize that there is no apparent connection between this Iranian plan and the actual attack carried out by 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks.The Iranian threat is part of a broader pattern of revenge attempts against former Trump administration officials, stemming from the 2020 US drone strike that killed General Qassem Soleimani, the former head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps. Adrienne Watson, spokesperson for the US National Security Council, stated, ‘We have been tracking Iranian threats against former Trump administration officials for years. These threats arise from Iran’s desire for revenge for Qassem Soleimani’s death’.The incident has raised serious questions about the effectiveness of Secret Service protection, particularly regarding outdoor rallies which are considered high-risk areas. Critics are demanding to know how Crooks was able to access a rooftop approximately 150 meters from Trump’s position and open fire, despite the heightened security measures. The attack has led to calls for Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to resign, though she has reportedly taken responsibility while refusing to step down.President Joe Biden has announced that an independent investigation is being conducted into the attack and the Secret Service’s response. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas admitted that there were ‘failures’ in how the situation was handled. The Iranian delegation at the United Nations has denied any involvement in the alleged assassination plot, calling the accusations ‘unfounded and malicious’.
Key points
- US intelligence uncovered an Iranian plot to assassinate Trump weeks before the July 13 attack.
- The Secret Service increased security measures but failed to prevent the attack by Thomas Matthew Crooks.
- The incident has led to calls for Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle’s resignation and an independent investigation.
- The Iranian plot is part of ongoing revenge attempts for the 2020 killing of General Qassem Soleimani.
Contradictions👾While some sources state that the Trump campaign was informed of the threat, others report that it’s unclear if the campaign was aware.
