On Saturday, former President Donald Trump’s address at the Bitcoin conference faced an hour delay due to the removal of two individuals who did not adhere to proper entry protocols, as stated by the Secret Service.
These individuals were properly credentialed, and the Secret Service clarified that there were no specific security concerns associated with them. The agency assured that there was “never a threat to the former president,” according to a spokesperson who spoke with CNN.
While rumors circulated suggesting the delay was due to Trump’s unpreparedness or the potential arrival of a special guest, Trump eventually took the stage alone without any additional security concerns being communicated to the audience. The New York Post was the first to report on the delay.
Attendees faced stringent security measures, including a prohibition on bags and a two-stage screening process with metal detectors, at the Music City Center where Trump spoke.
This event occurred two weeks after an attempted assassination in Butler, Pennsylvania, which cast a spotlight on the Secret Service’s effectiveness. CNN revealed that Trump and his team were not informed about the search for a suspect spotted earlier, who was later identified as Thomas Matthews Crooks, the assailant who injured Trump.
The Secret Service’s handling of the incident drew widespread criticism and led to the resignation of Director Kimberly Cheatle. Acting Director Ronald Rowe is scheduled to testify before a Senate committee on Tuesday to review the agency’s security protocols in the wake of the assassination attempt.