President Donald Trump wants more security following the assassination of polarizing conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Following the assassination of controversial conservative activist Charlie Kirk, while he spoke to college students and fans at Utah Valley University, President Donald Trump is now asking United States legislators for more security.
Libbey Dean of News Nation reported, “Due to increased threats against public officials, the Trump administration has requested Congress to spend an additional $58 million for the U.S. Marshals Service to expand security for the executive branch and Supreme Court justices, according to an administration source.
“The administration also supports increased funding for security for members of Congress, leaving it to lawmakers on how to allocate resources.
“Congress and the White House must keep the government funded before Sept. 30, when the current money allocation runs out.”
Experts have said that political violence is on the rise.
President Trump survived an assassination attempt while on the campaign trail in 2024.
Unfortunately, Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman, a Democrat, and her husband succumbed to an assassin’s bullet in 2025.
The Hortman assassin also attempted to assassinate Sen. John Hoffman and his daughter, but was unsuccessful in that assassination attempt.
The FBI foiled a plan to kidnap Michigan’s Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
A member of the group became an FBI informant.
The group was upset with Whitmer’s strict COVID-19 guidelines.
Several people were found guilty in the kidnapping plot.
In 2023, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessell said, “Violence is never the answer and (the) sentencing ensures that these men will be held accountable for their attempts to harm the general public, members of law enforcement and the Governor. I am grateful for the exemplary work of the investigators and prosecutors in my department, along with the Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Michigan State Police.”
In April, an arsonist firebombed Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s home while he and his family slept.
Shapiro made waves nationally leading up to the Democratic National Convention, with many wanting former Vice President Kamala Harris to choose him as her running mate over Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.
Many believe that adding Shapiro to Harris’ presidential ticket would have helped her win the swing state of Pennsylvania, which went to Trump.
Before expressing his desire for increased security for the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government, Trump faced criticism for removing Secret Service protection for Harris as she plans to embark on a national tour promoting her upcoming book.
Edward-Isaac Dovere of CNN reported, “Former presidents receive Secret Service protection for life. Harris, as a former vice president, received six months of protection after leaving office, according to federal law. That period ended on July 21. However, her protection had been extended for an additional year via a directive—not made public until now—signed by then-President Joe Biden shortly before leaving office, according to multiple people familiar with the undisclosed arrangement.”
In a memorandum to Homeland Security, Trump wrote, “You are hereby authorized to discontinue any security-related procedures previously authorized by Executive Memorandum, beyond those required by law, for the following individual, effective September 1, 2025: Former Vice President Kamala Harris.”
Additionally, Trump stayed silent when insurrectionists attempted to overthrow American democracy and former President Joe Biden’s 2020 victory and chanted that they wanted to hang his former Vice President Mike Pence.
The former Indiana governor was one of Trump’s most loyal subjects during his first term.
But when former Vice President Pence refused to disobey the Constitution, his life was put in danger by Trump’s big lie about the 2020 presidential election being stolen from him.
Despite Trump showing his concern for political violence after the assassination of Kirk, a good friend of the Trump family, many of his critics have lambasted him for not criticizing violence aimed at Democrats or those who do not submit to his will.
Furthermore, Trump faced criticism for ordering American flags lowered to half-staff for Kirk, even though he did not order the same for Hortman.
Moreover, Trump criticized flags being flown at half-staff after the passing of former President Jimmy Carter.
Many have also criticized Trump for posthumously offering the Medal of Freedom to Kirk, which is usually reserved for military heroes and other dignitaries.
Trump critics said Kirk’s history of racist and hateful statements disqualifies him from receiving an award reserved for those who have made history for moving society forward.
Many African-Americans view Kirk’s actions and rhetoric as reminiscent to White supremacists of the 1950s and 1960s.
Trump’s effort to increase security for politicians and judges will, hopefully, make it safer for leaders during these turbulent and polarizing times.
Unfortunately, the threats of violence have not been limited to those in the political arena.
Media outlets are also experiencing violent scares following the assassination of Kirk.
On Sept. 15, Riley Hoffman of ABC News reported, “Two Utah men are facing charges after being arrested for placing an incendiary device under a news media vehicle in Salt Lake City, according to authorities.
“Adeeb Nasir, 58, and Adil Justice Ahmed Nasir, 31, both of Magna, Utah, were arrested Sunday on suspicion of placing the explosive device, which was lit but ‘failed to function,’ according to police…
“Both men face nine charges, including two counts of weapon of mass destruction and two counts of threat of terrorism.
“The news media vehicle involved in the incident belonged to Salt Lake City’s Fox affiliate, KSTU.”
