The US Secret Service has warned of a 'highly volatile' threat environment, with officials saying the threat level is the highest they have ever seen. The agency reports a 40% increase in cases involving threats to its protectees compared to the previous year.
The US Secret Service director described the threat environment as the most challenging he has ever seen. The agency has investigated roughly 10,000 threat cases so far this year, a little over halfway through the year.
Mental health interventions by the US Secret Service have increased tenfold from the same period last year. The agency is also preparing for the rescheduled White House Correspondents' Dinner.
A 31-year-old California man, Cole Tomas Allen, faces charges including attempting to assassinate US President Donald Trump in an incident that derailed the original White House Correspondents' Dinner.
The US Secret Service is tasked with protecting US Supreme Court justices, cabinet members, former presidents, presidential candidates, and visiting foreign leaders. The agency is deploying new drone mitigation technology and strengthening security protocols.
