House Speaker Mike Johnson addressed the need for reforms within the U.S. Secret Service during a discussion on Tuesday. Johnson emphasized that the challenges faced by the agency extend beyond just financial concerns, highlighting the importance of strategic manpower allocation over simply increasing funding.
Despite this stance, Johnson mentioned that the House is contemplating an interim spending bill to provide a temporary boost to USSS funding.
The push for reform gained momentum following two recent failed assassination attempts targeting former President Donald Trump. The first attempt, which occurred in Butler, Pennsylvania, resulted in widespread criticism of the Secret Service and the subsequent resignation of former Director Kimberly Cheatle.
House Republicans have specifically called for Trump to receive Secret Service protection at a level equivalent to that of President Biden, underscoring the seriousness of the security concerns surrounding the former president.
