Former President Donald Trump was compelled to cancel plans for an outdoor rally at Wisconsin's airport last week due to a shortage of Secret Service personnel. The campaign instead held the event at a smaller indoor venue in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. The Secret Service reportedly attributed the staffing shortage to the security needs of foreign leaders at the ongoing United Nations General Assembly annual meeting in New York. According to sources briefed on this staffing issue, the Secret Service's resources are being stretched thin.
The security protocols for Trump's rallies have come under scrutiny following a shooting incident at one of his gatherings on July 13, 2024. This incident has prompted heightened security measures, but it hasn't alleviated the Secret Service's persistent staffing issues. The agency is responsible for protecting current and former presidents, foreign dignitaries during high-profile events, and numerous other high-profile individuals, which draws on their limited resources.
The Secret Service is currently facing amplified scrutiny over recent security lapses. Congress approved new funding for the agency last week, but it remains unclear if this influx will be sufficient to meet the growing demand for security as the 2024 election heats up. A report by the U.S. Senate found that there was no one clearly in charge of decision-making for security at the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, that day, causing “foreseeable, preventable” failings before the former president was shot.
As the political season progresses, Trump will likely continue scaling back his rally appearances, focusing on smaller gatherings able to maintain safety without compromising the energy and zeal of his core supporters.