Obama Death Threats Escalating

Neal Broverman

Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.

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Neal Broverman

October 20 2009 5:25 PM EST

November 17 2015 5:28 AM EST

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The White House has registered a 400% uptick in threats on President Obama's life versus threats on President George W. Bush's, straining the Secret Service and making some question whether the agency is equipped to protect the president.

The reports of increased threats against Obama come from an internal congressional report uncovered by The Boston Globe.

Besides being charged with regularly protecting 32 people, including first lady Michelle Obama and former president Bill Clinton, the Secret Service arranges security for high-profile events and probes financial crimes. According to the Globe, some government officials want the Secret Service to abandon its financial investigations so it can focus on keeping the nation's leaders safe.

The Southern Poverty Law Center reported in August that the number of white supremacist militia groups, which typically despise African-Americans and gays alike, has grown by 35% since 2000.

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