'Off the charts': Secret Service describes rising threats to protectees

The Secret Service has opened more than 10,000 investigations this year into threats against the people it protects, a 40% rise over the same period last year, officials said Wednesday.

Director Sean Curran told reporters the volatile political climate has reached a level he has not seen in his 24-year career, describing the threat numbers as off the charts. President Donald Trump has been the target of at least three assassination attempts.

Despite the heightened environment, Curran said the agency is confident in its plans for this week's rescheduled White House Correspondents' Association dinner, which moves to a smaller Washington hotel after a gunman stormed a checkpoint at April's event and fired on an officer before being subdued. Deputy Director Matthew Quinn said the agency is treating it as a routine presidential site rather than a redo.

Officials also flagged an emerging threat from drones, noting that a foiled plot against June's UFC fights at the White House involved them. The agency is deploying new detection methods, some used on American soil for the first time.

Quinn said terrorist and criminal groups continue to target high-profile venues, adding that Iran has publicly stated it wants to kill Trump.