Trump crypto event remarks delayed due to security concern
Former President Trump's remarks to the annual Bitcoin2024 Conference were delayed last Saturday after two individuals raised security concerns and were removed from the premises ahead of the speech, the U.S. Secret Service told The Hill.
"Two credentialed and screened individuals were removed from the premises for not following proper entry protocols," a spokesperson for the Secret Service said Tuesday.
Secret Service determined there was "no protective interest" from the individuals and there was "never a threat to the former president," the spokesperson said.
Ahead of the remarks, organizers said the delay was because Trump was not ready or for a possible special guest appearance, CNN reported. He eventually took the stage, and no potential security issue was told to the crowd, the outlet stated.
Conference attendees were not allowed to bring bags inside and were screened twice before entering the room where Trump spoke, CNN added.
The New York Post was first to report on the delayed remarks.
Trump's speech at the Nashville conference came exactly two weeks after the attempted assassination on Trump's life at a campaign rally in Butler, Penn. The shooting, which killed one attendee and injured the former president and two other spectators, raised concerns over the Secret Service's lack of preparedness to protect Trump.
The fallout over the Secret Service's prep and response to the shooting prompted director Kimberly Cheatle to resign last week following a disastrous appearance before Congress to review the incident.
Acting Secret Service director Ronald Rowe told a dual meeting of Senate committees on Tuesday he was "ashamed" and "cannot defend" the shooting.
The Justice Department, through the FBI, is investigating the shooting, and Attorney General Merrick Garland on Tuesday said it was "extremely alarming" the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, was able to get so close to Trump during the rally.
Trump is expected to sit for a "standard victim interview" with the FBI, which the agency said is consistent with practices for any crime they investigate.