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U.S. authorities received intelligence from a human source in recent weeks about a plot by Iran to try to kill Donald Trump, a development that led to increased Secret Service security around the former president in recent weeks, multiple people with knowledge of the matter told CNN. for this matter.
There is no indication that Thomas Matthew Crooks, the would-be assassin who tried to kill the former president on Saturday, was connected to the plot, the sources said.
The existence of an intelligence threat from a hostile foreign intelligence agency — and increased security for Trump — raises new questions about security lapses at Saturday's rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, and how a 20-year-old man managed to entered a vicinity. on the roof to fire shots that wounded the former president.
A US national security official said the Secret Service and the Trump campaign were made aware of the threat before Saturday's rally.
"The Secret Service learned of the growing threat from this threat stream," the official told CNN. “The NSC contacted the USSS directly at a high level to be absolutely sure that they continued to track the latest reports. The USSS shared this information with the head of the detail, and the Trump campaign became aware of a developing threat. In response to the growing threat, the Secret Service increased resources and assets to protect former President Trump. All this was before the Sabbath."
The Trump campaign would not disclose whether it had been made aware of the Iran threat. "We do not comment on President Trump's security detail. All questions should be directed to the United States Secret Service," the campaign said in a statement.
The Secret Service recently "added resources and protective capabilities to the former president's security detail," agency spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement Sunday.
Secret Service officials have repeatedly warned the Trump campaign against holding outdoor rallies, which pose greater risks than events to which the agency can better control access, people briefed on the matter said. The warnings have been more general in nature, the sources said.
At one point during this election cycle, the campaign stopped holding spontaneous off-the-record events where guests weren't previously attended by the Secret Service because of security concerns, a source familiar with the matter told CNN.
The FBI, which is investigating Saturday's shooting, declined to comment.
NSC spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said there is no known connection between the shooter, Thomas Matthe Crooks, and anyone else at this time.
"The investigation into Saturday's assassination attempt against former President Trump is active and ongoing. "At this time, law enforcement has reported that their investigation has not identified a connection between the attacker and any associates or associates, foreign or domestic," Watson said.
CNN has sought comment from the Department of Homeland Security and Iran's Permanent Mission to the United Nations.
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