A U.S. House task force is investigating two recent assassination attempts on former President Donald j Trump, extending their scrutiny beyond an initial incident in Butler, Pennsylvania, to a subsequent attempt at Trump’s Florida golf course. The Florida event involved a 58-year-old man armed with an AK-47 who hid for nearly 12 hours at the Trump International Golf Course. He was arrested by Secret Service agents before any shots were fired. This suspect faces multiple gun charges, with potential additional charges as the FBI and Homeland Security continue their investigation.

The July 13th assassination attempt in Butler is still under investigation. However, the Florida case has renewed concerns about the adequacy of Secret Service protections. Trump praised the agents’ response in Florida but faced inquiries regarding the security breaches. Notably, his golf outing was an “off-the-record” movement, not subject to the usual full protective measures. Agents had to maintain a mobile security perimeter and only spotted the armed suspect during a routine area sweep, exposing potential surveillance gaps.

Former Secret Service officials have suggested that while the response in Florida was effective, enhancements are needed for better security during unscheduled outings. These incidents have led House Speaker Mike Johnson to advocate for presidential-level Secret Service protection for Trump, involving specialized teams and heightened counter-surveillance measures.

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Ronald Rowe, acting director of the Secret Service, has promised a shift towards more proactive protective strategies. This comes as Trump already benefits from a significant level of security, unprecedented for a former president. The ongoing investigations by the task force aim to determine if broader systemic changes are necessary to safeguard high-profile individuals against politically motivated threats.