President Joe Biden has called on Congress to provide more support to the US Secret Service following the recent apparent attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. Biden expressed relief that Trump was unharmed and emphasized the need for additional resources for the Secret Service.
Biden stated, 'The one thing I want to make clear is Service needs more help, and I think the Congress should respond to their needs if they in fact need more Service people.' He highlighted the importance of addressing the staffing needs of the Secret Service to ensure the safety of current and former presidents.
When asked about the specific type of assistance required, Biden mentioned the need for more personnel within the agency. Staffing challenges have been an ongoing issue for the Secret Service, with agents and officers facing burnout due to extensive overtime and lengthy assignments, resulting in high turnover rates.
Former director Kim Cheatle previously informed Congress that the Secret Service currently employs 8,000 individuals but aims to increase this number to 9,500. The agency has been working towards bolstering its workforce to better fulfill its protective duties.
The Secret Service came under intense scrutiny following the initial assassination attempt against Trump, where he was struck in the ear during a rally in July. The incident underscored the importance of ensuring that the Secret Service has adequate resources and personnel to effectively carry out its critical mission of safeguarding national leaders.
