Secret Service faces test with large-scale Kirk funeral service
The article discusses the importent security challenge facing the U.S. secret Service during the large-scale funeral service for conservative activist Charlie Kirk,held at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale,Arizona. The event, which is open to the public and expected to draw tens of thousands of attendees, including former President Donald Trump, high-level governance officials, and Republican lawmakers, demands heightened protection measures. The stadium’s capacity of 63,000 and the event’s high-profile nature raise concerns about potential threats, requiring extensive coordination among federal, state, and local law enforcement.The Secret Service is already under intense scrutiny following a recent assassination attempt on Trump and has expanded its protective detail in the wake of Kirk’s shooting. The agency will also manage security amid other major obligations, such as Trump’s upcoming UK state visit and the United Nations General Assembly in New York City. The funeral service underscores ongoing concerns about the safety of political figures and has prompted some politicians to cancel or postpone events due to security fears.
Secret Service faces security test with large-scale Charlie Kirk funeral service
The Secret Service, already under scrutiny, will face a massive test of how to protect President Donald Trump, high-level administration officials, and Republican lawmakers at conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s funeral on Sunday.
The memorial service is open to the public and will be held at the giant State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, a large suburb of Phoenix.
“This is going to push the Secret Service to its limit. It’s all hands on deck — but there’s multiple decks,” Jonathan Wackrow, a former Secret Service agent, told CNN.
It is not yet clear whether the memorial will be designated as a national special security event. That designation opens additional resources from the federal government, which would then work in partnership with state and local authorities.
The stadium, home of the National Football League’s Arizona Cardinals, has a maximum capacity of 63,000 people. Members of the public can register for the event using their name, email, phone number, and ZIP code.
Law enforcement has just under a week to secure the stadium’s interior and exterior and prepare a thorough plan to combat risk.
“This location may be seen as an attractive target for a hostile actor because of its visibility. The potential for it to be disrupted through a series of different threats, or even the threat of a threat, is something that law enforcement really has to focus in on and then put the mitigation protocols in place now,” Wackrow told the outlet.
The agency has already been under intense scrutiny following the assassination attempt on Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, during his 2024 campaign. Trump’s security detail has increased in the wake of Kirk’s fatal shooting as well.
CONGRESS REVIEWS SECURITY PROTOCOLS IN AFTERMATH OF CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSINATION
Kirk’s funeral service comes as the Secret Service is already in high demand this week and next. The agency must protect Trump and the first lady as they travel to the United Kingdom for a state visit this week and more than 100 visiting foreign dignitaries at the United Nations General Assembly in New York City next week.
Several political figures canceled or postponed political events after Kirk was killed last week out of concern for their security. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), a candidate for governor of South Carolina, has said she is canceling all her outdoor events for the foreseeable future.
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