Rep. Gaetz Claims DHS Knew of Five Assassination Teams Targeting Trump

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) has alleged that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is aware of at least five assassination teams actively targeting former President Donald Trump. Gaetz shared this information during an interview, stating that a DHS whistleblower approached him shortly before the second attempt on Trump's life, which reportedly occurred during a golf outing at Trump’s Palm Beach course in Florida. The suspect, armed with an AK-47, was intercepted by the Secret Service but managed to escape briefly before being apprehended.

According to Gaetz, three of the assassination teams have foreign origins, linked to countries like Iran, Pakistan, and Ukraine, while the remaining two are domestic in nature.

This alleged plot has raised serious concerns about the adequacy of Trump’s protective detail, which, according to Gaetz, has been stretched thin. Gaetz questioned the prioritization of resources, suggesting that protection for individuals like First Lady Jill Biden and former National Security Adviser John Bolton may have siphoned off critical security assets needed to protect Trump​).

The congressman further implied that there might be internal issues within the Secret Service, with some of his colleagues suspecting a potential mole within the agency. Although Gaetz admitted that he had not seen concrete evidence of such infiltration, he underscored concerns about mismanagement and possible negligence in providing Trump with sufficient security​.

Gaetz’s disclosure comes in the wake of two confirmed assassination attempts against Trump. The first, which took place in July 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania, involved a Pakistani man, Asif Merchant, who allegedly conspired with Iran to carry out the attack. U.S. authorities arrested Merchant just one day before the attempt, further fueling concerns about Iran’s involvement in targeting former U.S. officials​.

This case, along with the recent attempt in Florida, has led to heightened scrutiny of security protocols surrounding Trump as he campaigns for the 2024 presidential election.

Several U.S. officials have confirmed that there have been multiple assassination plots tied to Iran, most believed to be motivated by retribution for the killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in 2020. These plots have prompted heightened security measures not only for Trump but also for other prominent U.S. figures like former President George W. Bush and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Despite the seriousness of these threats, Gaetz voiced frustration over the lack of increased security for Trump, particularly in light of the whistleblower’s warning. He suggested that some agencies may harbor animosity toward Trump, resulting in a diminished level of protection.