I am surprised in a setting like a political rally that the SS doesn't have ballistic shields at the ready for protection.
It seems like a few protective shields would have been helpful when the SS was hustling the protected person off the stage.
Shields could have been stationed along the stage for agents to grab on there way up the stairs.

It seemed odd to me too, but I think there are serious political concerns about such things.

(AKA, Trump insisting that people see him walking out - if he got carried out after being shot, I could see the crowd going a bit nuts)

I was expecting to see a ballistic blanket for the movement to cover him for the extraction.

Is it better to hustle the principal off the X ASAP or, wait until a number of guys can grab those shields, get into place, then move?

Some kind of shield isn't unusual, we've seen with Japanese gov EP detail during the assassination of former prime minister Abe, they did utilize folding briefcase shields. We saw the same action also with the attempt on prime minister Kishida's life when a pipe-bomb was lobbed at him.

A Safariland rifle rated shield (NIJ III) weigh between 12 and 20 pounds. That and the fact you have to get it and keep it between the protectee and the shooter. I suspect that the Secret Service figured it's easier to use preplaced ballistic protection and agent's bodies coupled with rapidly leaving the area to hauling around a heavy shield that may not stop the threat and slows down the evac.

Most of the ballistic blankets I've seen, including that crazy German bat one are only pistol rated.

I'm almost surprised that they don't use smoke grenades for instant concealment, but that could also cause a delay in evac, a crowd panic, etc.

I was thinking the same thing.

Seems to me having 2-3 shields at the podium, laying out of sight lengthwise behind the red/white/blue facade in front of the podium would be quick and handy for responding agents to grab if shit went down.


I’m sure there a reason they don’t bother. Probably too much risk like putting snipers on a gently sloping roof or really high water tower in the afternoon sun.


Who am I to question the “professionals”…

I don't think the shield makes a lot of sense for protective work. They can be cumbersome, they limit physical capability, they are hard to shoot with, they would be difficult to index without visual reference (e.g. if you can't see the shield), and they would be challenging to use in relation to others with a shield. The shield can also be heavy and limit visibility, agility, and speed.

The method you see the USSS use, where the agents surround the protectee with as much meat as possible addresses most of these issues and grants them a lot more flexibility. You also have to consider that the hands-on agents are only one layer of security.

I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night, but I do have some hands on experience using and teaching ballistic shield for law enforcement.

Those stage stairs needed to be twice as wide, that's for sure. Thank God Trump could walk, otherwise I have not idea how they would have gotten him off of there in an expeditious manner. Perhaps back the Suburban up to the stage and drag him onto the roof or hood and roll out?

I assume the ramp in the other direction wasn't chosen because that was in the direction of the shots or not their exfil route.

quote:

Originally posted by Scuba Steve Sig:
Those stage stairs needed to be twice as wide, that's for sure. Thank God Trump could walk, otherwise I have not idea how they would have gotten him off of there in an expeditious manner. Perhaps back the Suburban up to the stage and drag him onto the roof or hood and roll out?

I assume the ramp in the other direction wasn't chosen because that was in the direction of the shots or not their exfil route.

I’m sure those three little gals routinely train fireman carry of a 250lb individual…

Even after what has happened, we cannot and do not surround our presidents with SWAT teams carrying shields. That is for kings and dictators.