In the wake of the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump on Saturday, Reps. Mike Lawler (R-NY) and Ritchie Torres (D-NY) said they will be introducing legislation to provide increased Secret Service protection for all presidential candidates, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
“Last night’s attempted assassination of former President Trump was a dark moment in our nation’s history,” the lawmakers said in a joint statement. “As reports continue to emerge, it’s clear that more protection is needed for all major candidates for president. That’s why we’re planning on introducing bipartisan legislation providing President Joe Biden, former President Donald Trump, and presidential candidate Robert Kennedy Jr. with enhanced Secret Service protection. Anything less would be a disservice to our democracy.”
NEWS — @RitchieTorres and @lawler4ny are introducing a bill that would give enhanced USSS protection to Trump, Biden and RFK Jr.
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) July 14, 2024
Lawler and Torres statement:
“Last night’s attempted assassination of former President Trump was a dark moment in our nation’s history. As reports…
In a separate statement on X, Lawler said the assassination attempt “should shock our conscience to its core.”
Increasing protections for candidates “is paramount to the security of our natioin and our democracy,” he added.
What happened yesterday should shock our conscience to its core. @RepRitchie and I will work together to ensure every major candidate for President — including Trump; Biden, and RFK, Jr. — has enhanced USSS protection. Their security is paramount to the security of our nation and… https://t.co/Aj33tYxwtd
— Mike Lawler (@lawler4ny) July 14, 2024
Torres and many others have questioned the massive security failure on Saturday, which allowed the shooter be positioned on a roof less than 150 yards from where Trump was speaking.
The shooter fired from a rooftop 100+ yards from the former President.
— Ritchie Torres (@RitchieTorres) July 14, 2024
Why was the rooftop not secured beforehand by the Secret Service? How could a shooter come so easily within firing distance of a presidential candidate?
These security failures cannot go unanswered.… pic.twitter.com/vxuKytdcF9
Congressman Mike Lawler and I are putting aside partisan differences to make a bipartisan push for enhanced Secret Service Protection for President Joe Biden, former President Donald Trump, and presidential candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr.
— Ritchie Torres (@RitchieTorres) July 14, 2024
We plan to introduce bipartisan… pic.twitter.com/cuP6O8413c
In the wake of the shooting, which also killed an attendee and seriously injured two others, calls have grown to give RFK Jr. Secret Service protection after his requests was denied.