Produced by: Tarun Mishra
Dan Bongino, a former Secret Service agent, has warned that the recent assassination attempt on Donald Trump may not be the last. Bongino made this statement during a forum with several Republican Congress members and security experts.
The warning comes a month after 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks fired at Trump during a rally in Pennsylvania. Since the attack, Trump and his vice presidential candidate, JD Vance, have conducted their rallies surrounded by bulletproof glass for added security.
At the forum, Bongino expressed concern that further attempts could occur, stating, “If you think this is the last incident, you're out of your mind.” He added, “I pray to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that I’m wrong.”
Bongino’s remarks were made alongside several Republican Congress members, including Chip Roy, Matt Gaetz, Cory Mills, Andy Biggs, and Eli Crane, as well as Erik Prince of Blackwater and SWAT operator Ben Shaffer.
Bongino criticized the leadership of the Secret Service, attributing issues during the July incident to inadequate management. He suggested that political factors might be affecting the agency’s performance.
Kim Cheatle, the former head of the Secret Service, resigned shortly after testifying before Congress about the assassination attempt. Bongino criticized her resignation, claiming she was allowed to resign rather than being fired and speculated that she might receive a favorable job in the future.
Bongino also criticized Ronald L. Rowe Jr., the interim head of the Secret Service, stating that Rowe represents the same issues as Cheatle. He implied that the interim leadership was not addressing the problems effectively.
Following the attack, Trump has enhanced his security, including holding his first outdoor rally since the incident behind protective glass. The rally took place at the Aviation Museum & Hall of Fame in Asheboro, North Carolina, on August 21.