Crapo, Risch, Scott Lead Bill to Bolster Security for Presidential Nominees Following Trump Assassination Attempts

Washington, D.C.--In the wake of a second assassination attempt on President Donald Trump in just 65 days, U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Rick Scott (R-Fla.) joined 10 colleagues in introducing the Protect Our Presidents Act, which will enhance the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) protection for presidential nominees to the same level currently provided to a sitting U.S. President.

“Ideas we do not align with and policies we do not agree with are not threats to democracy.  Allowing would-be assassins the opportunity to shoot a former president in the ear or to get within firing range to attempt to do so again within the span of just a few short weeks is,” said Crapo.  “President Trump should have the same level of protective service he had while President, and so should all future presidential nominees from any party.  This should not be political.”

“The two attempts on President Trump’s life and the failures of the U.S. Secret Service have put the threat of assassination at the forefront of Americans’ concerns,” said Risch.  “With the Protect our Presidents Act, we will ensure American Presidents and presidential candidates receive the highest level of security.  We cannot let our guard down.”

“Over the course of just 65 days, two deranged individuals have tried to kill President Donald Trump, and one was able to shoot him in the head. It is unthinkable that this could happen in America today, and it demands the immediate action of Congress.  Today, I am leading 12 of my Republican colleagues to introduce the Protect Our Presidents Act, which mandates that the USSS provide the same level of protective services to presidential nominees that it affords to sitting presidents,” said Scott.  “President Trump has great officers and agents working around the clock to keep him safe, but it’s clear that the vile rhetoric on the left toward President Trump has made him a target and more resources are required to ensure the safety of him and his family.  I urge Senate Democrats to join Republicans to quickly pass this bill that will support the protection of President Trump and all future presidential nominees.”

Crapo, Risch and Scott are also joined by U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), Mike Braun (R-Indiana), Ted Budd (R-North Carolina), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Josh Hawley (R-Missouri), James Lankford (R-Oklahoma), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming), Roger Marshall (R-Kansas), Marco Rubio (R-Florida) and Tim Scott (R-South Carolina).

The Protect Our Presidents Act would:

• Require the USSS to provide presidential nominees the same level of protection provided to the president, as well as any necessary protective measures.

  • The nominee may decline the increased protection if they so choose. 

• Mandate regular reporting:

  • The USSS must brief and report on the status of the presidential nominee’s protection to the Speaker of the House, the House Minority Leader, the Senate Majority Leader, the Senate Minority Leader, members of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and the House of Representatives Homeland Security Committee every 15 days during a presidential election year.

  • This report will include the threat level for each presidential nominee, the security measures being implemented, associated costs, the number of personnel permanently assigned to each protective detail, and any unmet security needs.