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Despite the shocking events, Trump announced that he would not be altering his plans to attend the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The convention, set to begin on Monday, will see Trump addressing the gathering on Thursday.
“Based on yesterday’s terrible events, I was going to delay my trip to Wisconsin, and The Republican National Convention, by two days, but have just decided that I cannot allow a ‘shooter,’ or potential assassin, to force change to scheduling, or anything else,” Trump stated defiantly on Truth Social.
The U.S. Secret Service and local law enforcement assured the public that there would be no changes to the security protocols for the RNC. Officials reaffirmed their confidence in the existing security measures.
“We’re not anticipating any changes to our operational security plans for this event,” said Audrey Gibson-Cicchino, the Secret Service’s RNC coordinator. She emphasized that extensive security planning for the Milwaukee event had been in progress for 18 months, categorizing it as a high-security event.
When pressed about specific threats, Michael Hensle, the FBI’s special agent in charge in Milwaukee, noted an increase in online chatter but stated there were no known specific threats to the RNC or any attendees. “Gibson-Cicchino emphasized that the security planning in Milwaukee has been underway for 18 months and has already been designated the highest level of security event. Pressed about specific threats to this week’s gathering, Michael Hensle, the FBI’s special agent in charge in Milwaukee, said that there is ‘no known specific articulated threat to the RNC during or any specific individual attendee’ but that there are higher levels of online ‘chatter’ about the assassination attempt,” NBC News reported.
The FBI acknowledged a rise in online threats following the incident, with Deputy Director Paul Abbate highlighting the escalation of violent rhetoric. Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman addressed concerns about firearm regulations, noting that due to Wisconsin’s open-carry laws, the city cannot ban guns around the convention venue.
Carry 46 rounds concealed? (comfortably)
“We as a city cannot legislate out of that,” Norman said, adding that law enforcement must operate within state guidelines. This open-carry allowance poses a significant challenge for security at the Fiserv Forum arena.
The FBI officially classified the shooting as an assassination attempt, although the motive remains unclear. The attack occurred shortly after Trump began his rally, with the shooter firing multiple shots from an elevated position outside the venue.
“During former President Trump’s campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on the evening of July 13th at approximately 6:15 p.m., a suspected shooter fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue,” said Anthony Guglielmi, chief of communications for the U.S. Secret Service. “US Secret Service personnel neutralized the shooter, who is now deceased. US Secret Service quickly responded with protective measures and the former president is safe and being evaluated. One spectator was killed, two spectators were critically injured. The incident is currently under investigation, and the Secret Service has formally notified the Federal Bureau of Investigation.”
As the investigation continues, the nation watches closely. Trump’s message of resilience and unity resonates as the country navigates through these turbulent times. The former president’s steadfast determination to proceed with his plans underscores his commitment to his supporters and his political mission.
