Lee Says Increasing Secret Service Funding 'Throwing Money at Problem'

Two attempts on former President Donald Trump's life have put the Secret Service under the microscope. Representative Laurel Lee (R-FL) discussed how the former President's continued safety can be guaranteed during a weekend appearance on Fox News, saying rather than simply increasing the Secret Service's funding, "Is there a way that we can reallocate or shift some of those resources without simply adding to a budget?"

Representative Jason Crow (D-CO) had made similar comments, which Rep. Lee agreed with, saying, "We cannot just throw money at a problem. We have to have trained and prepared agents who are able to step in and take on that protective detail."

As a result, the Florida Congresswoman speculated, "Is there a way that we can reallocate or shift some of those resources without simply adding to a budget? Right now, the focus needs to be on who we can bring in [and] what trained agents are out there to elevate the overall security forces protecting President Trump and all of their other protectees?"

The conversation shifted to the bipartisan Trump assassination task force in Congress holding its first public hearing this Thursday.

"This will be our first public hearing, and that is so important because we want the American public to access all of the same information and hear all of the same testimony that we are getting to hear," Lee continued, emphasizing how law enforcement would describe the specific breakdowns in communication and strategic assessment in the Butler, Pennsylvania, incident.

Regarding the second and most recent attempt on Trump's life in Palm Beach, Florida, last Sunday, acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe recently stated that the agents protecting the former President made the right decisions and acted swiftly. Still, Lee pointed out that a crucial question remained: "How was this person able to get so close to President Trump? How would he be able to stay there for an extended period of time before the President approached and any background about who he was and what he was doing there."