YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A local veteran and former police sergeant who worked for the Secret Service explains what it takes to protect a politician.
He was discussing the president's security posture in the wake of this weekend's assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.
David Ybarra served in three presidential elections: Bush, Clinton and Trump.
Ibarra will outline some of the security planning and perimeter checks that will take place before the presidential briefing.
“We have to meet with the Secret Service a week in advance to go over the plans: where the venue is going to be, what the area is going to be like, what roads are going to be closed, what emergency routes are going to be used if an emergency occurs,” Ibarra said.
Ibarra said despite the high level of security, many questions remain about the recent shooting.
“Another question is why weren't those buildings cleared,” Ibarra said, “and if a threat was detected before President Trump spoke, why was he allowed to take the podium?”
Ybarra, who worked with Trump in 2016 when he was a presidential candidate, said he was shocked to see the shooting and hoped security would be stepped up.
The investigation into the shooting remains ongoing.
