Former President Donald Trump thanked Congress on Wednesday for extending presidential-level protection to major presidential and vice presidential candidates, saying it is “nice to see Republicans and Democrats get together on something.”
Lawmakers sent the bill to President Biden’s desk this week after the July 13 assassination attempt on Mr. Trump and a second apparent attempt by a gunman who camped out near Mr. Trump’s golf course in Florida.
“I am surrounded by more men, guns, and weapons than I have ever seen before. Thank you to Congress for unanimously approving far more money to Secret Service — Zero ‘NO’ Votes, strictly bipartisan,” Mr. Trump posted on Truth Social.
Mr. Trump said that an attack on a former president “is a Death Wish for the attacker” and warned that Iran is looking to harm him.
“The entire U.S. Military is watching and waiting. Moves were already made by Iran that didn’t work out, but they will try again. Not a good situation for anyone,” Mr. Trump wrote.
He did not elaborate, but federal authorities recently arrested a Pakistani man, Asif Merchant, in connection with an alleged plot to kill U.S. officials.
Authorities have described Mr. Merchant as having close ties to Iran, but many key questions, including whether he has direct links to the government in Tehran, remain unanswered.
U.S. officials suggested the plot was part of Iran’s attempt to retaliate for the 2020 U.S. military drone strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani — a strike ordered by Mr. Trump.
There is no known connection between Iran and the two men involved in the recent attempts on Mr. Trump’s life.
The first gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, was killed during the incident in Butler County, Pennsylvania. Ryan Wesley Routh is being held and charged with attempting to assassinate a former president in the Florida incident.
Secret Service acting Director Ronald Rowe said at a news conference Friday that Mr. Trump is already “getting everything that the current president has with respect to Secret Service assets.”
That’s because Mr. Biden ordered “the highest levels of protection” for Mr. Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, after the Butler shooting, he said.
• Ben Wolfgang and Lindsey McPherson contributed to this story.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.