The U.S. Secret Service is facing scrutiny regarding its security protocols following an incident where President Donald Trump was confronted by protesters during a visit to a Washington, D.C. restaurant. Concerns have been expressed about the president's safety, particularly after reports indicated that protesters may have had advance notice of his presence.

Tom Fitton, president of the watchdog group Judicial Watch, highlighted the potential risks, stating that Trump was nearly harmed on two occasions while under Secret Service protection. He described the September incident at Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab as a significant security breach, noting that protesters were allowed to approach the president closely, raising alarms about their access to potential weapons.

Judicial Watch has filed a lawsuit in Washington, D.C. Federal Court, requesting internal communications from the Secret Service regarding the presence of Code Pink protesters at the restaurant. The group is seeking emails and text messages that could shed light on how the protesters were able to secure reservations and approach Trump during his meal.

Former FBI Assistant Director Chris Swecker characterized the situation as an extraordinary lapse in security, comparing it to historical instances where leaders were inadequately protected. The lawsuit follows the government's alleged failure to meet a deadline for providing requested information under the Freedom of Information Act.

During the incident, protesters chanted slogans related to Palestine and made provocative comparisons of Trump to historical figures, which further escalated the situation. Although no violence was reported, the proximity of the protesters to the president raised significant security concerns.

This incident is part of a broader context of security challenges faced by the Secret Service, which has been criticized for its handling of previous threats against Trump, including two assassination attempts during the 2024 campaign. In one case, a guest was able to bring a firearm onto a golf course where Trump was present, highlighting ongoing vulnerabilities in the agency's security measures.

The Secret Service has stated that it takes security seriously and has multiple layers of protection in place, but the recent events have prompted calls for a reassessment of its protocols to ensure the safety of public officials.