What are the changes in Secret Service protocol following presidential assassination attempts?

On July 13, 2024, during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, former President Trump was shot and sustained an injury to his ear.

Following the assassination attempt, Secret Service agents swiftly escorted Trump from the stage at Butler Farm Show grounds after he was hit by a bullet on the side of his head.

Before the gunman, identified by the FBI as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, fired at him, he had only been speaking for several minutes.

A Secret Service spokesman stated that an incident took place on July 13 at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania. The Secret Service has put in place protective measures and the former President is secure. This is now an active investigation by the Secret Service, and more information will be released when it becomes available.

The gunman was near the building where Trump stood during the rally, and attendees reported notifying police and causing commotion to alert the Secret Service. Many Americans are questioning the Secret Service's protocol in the event of an assassination attempt.

The Secret Service's protective mission began in 1901 after the assassination of President William McKinley. Following the tragedy, the agency was authorized to protect the President of the United States. In 1906, Congress passed legislation and funds for the Secret Service to provide presidential protection. Over time, the number of protectees and the scope of the protective mission have expanded in response to the evolving threat environment.

Following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on Nov. 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas, President Lyndon B. Johnson established the President’s Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy, commonly known as the Warren Commission, on Nov. 29, 1963. The order's summary states that everyone should have "full and truthful knowledge" about assassinations and assassination attempts, as per the National Archives.

The modifications to Secret Service procedures allowed future presidents to interact closely with their constituents, as JFK did, while also safeguarding the president and first family and preparing for potential threats.

During presidential visits, government agencies are requested to deploy new inspection techniques for buildings along the motorcade route.

Despite no errors being discovered in the U.S. Secret Service during the investigation of JFK's assassination, it was determined that the agency was understaffed and underfunded. As a result, additional funding was allocated, leading to the acquisition of heavily armored vehicles for use in motorcades.

The Secret Service is authorized to safeguard the first family, including the president, all immediate family members, the vice president, those in line for the presidency, former presidents until their death, their spouses, and the children of former presidents up to age 16, among others.

The former president's family members, excluding his wife and children, are not entitled to Secret Service protection.

Immediately following the assassination attempt on Trump, President Biden should provide independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. with a Secret Service detail, as urged by Colorado Gov. Jared Polis.

Polis urged Biden to promptly grant Secret Service protection to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

In February, Nikki Haley, a former GOP presidential candidate, requested Secret Service agents after "swatting" incidents occurred at her rally events.

According to the Secret Service's official website, currently, the agency has 3,200 special agents, 1,300 uniformed division officers, and over 2,000 other professionals.