Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) revealed Tuesday that he has not asked for extra security from the Secret Service, adding that he is “proud” of the agents who are protecting him.
Vance, Donald Trump’s 2024 running mate, made the comment in response to a question about whether the former president has made efforts to increase his security after a second assassination attempt against him on Sunday. Some, including former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), have contended Trump’s security has a problem with “manpower allocation” rather than proper funding.
“I have not requested more Secret Service protection — I think that we have what we need, and again, I think these guys are doing a great job, and I’m thankful for them, and I’m proud of them,” Vance said, drawing applause from the crowd at a Michigan rally.
“Now sometimes I wish they would drive a little bit faster. These Secret Service agents, they drive like Miss Daisy,” he added, referencing the 1989 film Driving Miss Daisy.
Vance said he does not know if Trump has requested additional security. However, he did reveal that he spoke to “some of my friends on Capitol Hill” who are trying to allocate enough money to ensure the former president has the same level of security as President Joe Biden.
The Ohio senator also detailed his pitch for Democratic voters, saying that “assassinations destroy the social fabric of this country.” He warned that if an assassin successfully kills a presidential candidate, the impact would create “a rift and a wound in this country” that would never heal, stressing that another attempt on Trump’s life cannot be allowed to happen.
Vance also joked that any assassin who tried to attack him or Trump would “come to the wrong place,” referencing the “close to 500 patriots” within his audience who applauded his statement. He added that there are no plans to shift away from outdoor rallies after the second assassination attempt.
"With close to 500 patriots in the state of Michigan in this building right now and outside, I'd like to see an assassin try to come in this room. They've come to the wrong place if you try to walk into this place right now."
— Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) September 17, 2024
— JD Vance to @AutumnPitchure @wwmtnews pic.twitter.com/t7mjY8QuAw
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On Sunday, Vance revealed on X that he spoke to Trump prior to the news of his second assassination attempt going public and that the former president was in “good spirits.” Like other lawmakers, he has called for a de-escalation in the “ridiculous and inflammatory political rhetoric” in U.S. politics.
Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe confirmed at a press conference on Monday that the agency did not sweep the perimeter of the golf course prior to Trump’s outing, noting that it was not on the former president’s schedule for the day.