Secret Service reports 40% rise in threats against presidency

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 12 Oct, 18:27 · Archive

The Secret Service said threats against the presidency have risen over 40 per cent in the past year.

Secret Service Director Sean Curran and Deputy Director Matt Quinn appeared together on CBS's '60 Minutes' on Sunday to discuss the increased threats they face. Curran reported that 'the threats on our full-time protectees are up just over 40% than they were last year', describing it as 'a massive increase' and 'like we've never seen before'.

When asked whether President Trump's polarising position in American politics contributed to the rise, Curran emphasised that the Secret Service is 'an apolitical organization'. Deputy Director Quinn suggested that 'the biggest factor we're dealing with today is mental health issues for sure. And more people are being pushed over the edge in either direction.' Curran added that 'the world is different than what it was 20 years ago' and cited social media as a significant factor.

The two men declined to specify whether more threats came from left-wing or right-wing sources, explaining that they do not 'weigh' threats in that way. They cited concerns from both the January 6 Capitol riots and assassination attempts against Trump as reasons for this balanced approach. The New York Post notes that the interview came as the Secret Service faces ongoing scrutiny following the placement of three officials on leave in August.

Secret Service reports 40% rise in threats against presidency — Image: New York Post

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How it is being reported

Secret Service leadership warn threats against US presidency rising ‘like we’ve never seen before’This interview came as the Secret Service faces ongoing scrutiny after three officials were placed on leave in August.New York Post · 12 Oct, 18:06
Secret Service leadership warn of 'massive increase' in threats against the presidentSecret Service Director Sean Curran and Deputy Director Matt Quinn gave their first joint interview with "60 Minutes" about the increased threats they face.Fox News · 12 Oct, 11:06

In this story: Secret Service · Sean Curran · Matt Quinn · Donald Trump · Norah O'Donnell · CBS · United States

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