US officials reportedly received intelligence several weeks ago about an Iranian plot to kill Donald Trump, prompting the Secret Service to tighten the presidential candidate’s security arrangements prior to last weekend’s assassination attempt.
The Secret Service and the Trump campaign were recently made aware of a threat against the former president, prompting an increase in resources and assets, two US officials – who spoke on the condition of anonymity – told the Associated Press.
The additional resources did not prevent Saturday’s attack at a rally in Pennsylvania, where a 20-year-old with an AR-style rifle opened fire from a nearby rooftop, leaving the former president with an ear injury, killing one rallygoer and severely injuring two others.
The White House declined to comment, but said there were no indications that the suspected shooter had any foreign or domestic accomplices.
National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said officials have been tracking Iranian threats against Trump administration officials for years, dating back to the last administration.
“These threats arise from Iran’s desire to seek revenge for the killing of Qassem Soleimani. We consider this a national and homeland security matter of the highest priority,” Ms Watson said.
Trump ordered the 2020 killing of Soleimani, who led the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force. He died in a US airstrike in Baghdad.
Ms Watson also said there have been no ties identified between the gunman at the rally “and any accomplice or co-conspirator, foreign or domestic.” The FBI has no clear motive for the shooting and its investigation is ongoing.
In a statement to Reuters, Iran’s mission to the United Nations in New York described the accusations as “unsubstantiated and malicious.”
“From the perspective of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Trump is a criminal who must be prosecuted and punished in a court of law for ordering the assassination of General Soleimani. Iran has chosen the legal path to bring him to justice,” it added.
The Secret Service has been sharply criticised in the wake of Saturday’s shooting, as questions were raised about how the suspect was able to access a roof overlooking the rally and open fire.
President Joe Biden has ordered an independent review of how the gunman could have come so close to killing Trump.
The Secret Service – which is tasked with protecting the president, former presidents, their spouses, some other lawmakers and major security events – also faces probes from Congress.
A visibly stronger security detail now surrounds both Trump and President Biden. Independent candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr has also been granted Secret Service protection in the wake of the shooting.
Additional reporting by AP and Reuters