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Trump campaign requested use of military aircraft for final stage of campaign
Washington — Former President Donald Trump’s campaign requested military assets to enhance his security in the final weeks of the campaign in the wake of threats to his life, two sources familiar with the matter told CBS News.
In emails to the White House and the Secret Service late last week, the Trump campaign requested that a military aircraft be used to transport the former president before the election, according to the sources. The request also included expanded flight restrictions over Trump’s residences and campaign rallies, as well as the use of ballistic glass — a security measure the former president is already receiving.
The Washington Post first reported the requests Friday.
The development follows two assassination attempts against Trump since July. He was also the target of an alleged murder-for-hire plot involving a Pakistani national with ties to Iran. The country holds the former president and his administration officials responsible for a drone strike that killed Iranian Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani in 2020.
President Biden seemed receptive to the enhanced campaign security measures on Friday, telling reporters he “told the department to give him every, every single thing he needs.”
“As long as he doesn’t ask for F-15s,” Mr. Biden said at the White House.
He said the Republican presidential nominee should be treated as if “he were a sitting president.”
“If it fits within that category, that’s fine,” he added. “But if it doesn’t, he shouldn’t.”
The enhanced security is a break from precedent. No presidential nominee or former president in recent history has been transported by military plane before an election.
After the second assassination attempt against Trump, Mr. Biden signed a bipartisan bill that bolsters the Secret Service protection for major presidential and vice presidential candidates. The bill requires Secret Service to apply the same standards in determining the number of agents needed to protect the president, vice president and the major candidates for those offices.
In a statement to CBS News, Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi said Trump “is receiving the highest levels of protection.”
“Assistance from the Department of Defense is regularly provided for the former President’s protection, to include explosive ordnance disposal, canine units, and airlift transportation,” he said. “Other enhancements the Secret Service has is providing includes Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) over the former President’s residence and when he travels. Additionally, the former President is receiving the highest level of technical security assets which include unmanned aerial vehicles, counter unmanned aerial surveillance systems, ballistics and other advanced technology systems.”
Guglielmi said the Secret Service will “continue to adjust and enhance its protective posture as needed to mitigate evolving threats.”
contributed to this report.
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Satellite photos reveal major destruction caused by Hurricane Milton
Satellite images show the extent of the damage from Hurricane Milton, which spawned tornadoes across Florida and struck the state as a Category 3 hurricane.
The fatal storm surge that forecasters feared never arrived, but photos show heavy flooding, especially in coastal areas and on the state’s barrier islands. Homes were torn to pieces and power lines were ripped down by strong winds and heavy rain.
One satellite image shows flooded streets in St. Armands Key, a barrier island near Sarasota.
On Ana Maria Island, a barrier island in Manatee County, Florida, a satellite photo shows storm debris and flooded coastal homes.
Another photo from the region shows sand blown down the main streets of the neighborhood.
At a condo building in Cortez, Florida, before-and-after photos show the extent of the damage. A photo taken in the aftermath of the storm shows a portion of the building’s roof ripped off, and debris scattered on the ground. The photo also shows flooding and other debris spread across the area.
Another before-and-after photo shows the devastation at Tropicana Field, the home stadium of the Tampa Bay Rays. Before the storm, the stadium had been used as a staging site for first responders. Heavy winds shredded the fabric roof of the building.
Photos show the massive gaps where the fabric that served as the domed building’s roof had been ripped to shreds. St. Petersburg Fire Rescue confirmed that there were no injuries in the incident. It was not immediately clear how much damage there was inside the stadium, but debris can be seen on the field.