The multilayered nature of presidential and candidate security is complicating calls for former President Trump to have the same level of protection as a sitting president, prompting a Republican

That’s the excuse you give? If he were president you’d protect him better?” said U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez. “That’s inexcusable.”

For years, the Secret Service has meted out its limited protection resources based on the person the agency was protecting. The sitting president and vice president are assigned the highest amount of protection. Former presidents, major-party candidates and visiting dignitaries receive less.