Pressure is growing to increase the Secret Service protection provided to Donald Trump after the second assassination attempt on the former president in just over two months.
“The Service needs more help,” President Biden told reporters at the White House on Monday.
“And I think that Congress should respond to their needs if they in fact need more service people,” he said. “They’re deciding whether they need more personnel or not.”
Ryan Wesley Routh, the alleged gunman, faced federal gun charged at a Florida courthouse on Monday, though he could face more serious charges when prosecutors go to a grand jury for an indictment.
Several members of Congress, from both major parties, have said that presidential candidates should receive the same level of protection as the sitting president.
Mr Routh was allegedly able to get within about 300-500 yards (275-460m) of Trump while carrying an AR-style rifle.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw has pointed out that Trump does not receive the same level of protection that a sitting president does.
“If he was, we would have had this entire golf course surrounded,” he said.
Authorities have charged Mr Routh with possession of a firearm as a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. He will attend another next week to determine whether he should remain in custody.
Trump told supporters that he was safe and well, and thanked the Secret Service – the government agency with responsibility for protecting the president and major US officials – and other law enforcement agencies for doing an “incredible job”.
But politicians from both parties have called for increased security around the former president. (BBC)