PHOENIX — As the nation grapples with yet another apparent attempted assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump's life, a man who helped plan worldwide visits for the likes of former Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush sees Trump's security detail expanding.
Frank Thorwald was a member of the Presidential Advance team for Reagan and Bush. Advance works to coordinate meetings and briefings for the travel of presidents both domestically and internationally.
“There does need to be more security, much more security than what we currently have now or in the past," Thorwald said of Trump's U.S. Secret Service detail.
Thorwald says he expects Trump to not hold an outdoor event for the rest of the campaign season. He says outdoor venues are the hardest to prepare for.
“They could have drones. They could have anything in the technology we have today, even the average person, and see what's going on. And you could lay and wait," Thorwald said.
In recent trips to Arizona, Trump has held indoor events in Glendale and Tucson. Thorwald expects that to continue, combined with an influx of Secret Service agents and local law enforcement members. Some of these people the public will see, and others they will not.
“What's not obvious is the people that are in the crowds that are local police who will be dressed casually or in grubbies, whatever, and they will be out in the audience watching for people to do things," he said.
Thorwald remembers vividly when former President Reagan was shot back in 1981. Fast forward more than 40 years, and he says it comes as a surprise to him that there have been two separate attempts at a former president's life.
“The Secret Service has always been a very effective tool," Thorwald said. "They've always been considered to be the best protective service in the world. But that doesn't mean you're infallible."
He worries more attempts could occur if the country doesn't come together and tone down the harsh political rhetoric from both sides of the aisle.
“We would have not called somebody a traitor, because they had a different way of moving the country forward," he said. "They had their beliefs, and I respected those. They respected mine, and what we cared about was moving the country forward.”
Phoenix Police issued the following statement on how they will prepare if Trump plans another trip to Arizona's largest city:
The Phoenix Police Department is committed to ensuring the safety of all who live, work and visit our city.
The U.S. Secret Service is the primary agency responsible for providing security for current and former presidents, vice-presidents and presidential candidates among others. Our department acts in support of the Secret Service and remains willing and able to provide the necessary assistance to keep everyone safe.
With respect to election security, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office is the primary agency responsible.
Phoenix officers are trained to collaborate with local, state, and federal agencies and keep lines of communication open to coordinate efforts for the protection of all.
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