US Defense Department to help protect presidential candidates

The US Defense Department will provide "protective support" to major presidential and vice presidential candidates, increasing its assistance to the country's Secret Service, the Pentagon said on Thursday.

The announcement comes after a gunman lightly wounded Republican candidate Donald Trump and killed a campaign rally attendee last month. US defense chief Lloyd Austin approved a request from Homeland Security for the assistance, directing the military command responsible for North America to give additional backing to the Secret Service at locations across the country, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary said.