PITTSBURGH – Former President Trump, the Republican candidate for the 2024 presidential election, has proclaimed his intention to resume outdoor rallies following an assassination attempt during one in Pennsylvania on July 13. This comes after the Secret Service recommended moving his campaign events indoors, a suggestion some analysts interpret as an acknowledgment of failure on the agency’s part.
In a post written in all caps on his Truth Social platform on Saturday, Trump declared that he would continue to engage with his supporters at outdoor events.
“I will persist with outdoor rallies, and the Secret Service has consented to significantly enhance their operations,” he stated. “They are very capable of doing so.”
During his remarks on Saturday, Trump also commended the Secret Service team that safeguarded him throughout the rally and defended the agents who hurried to his aid after gunfire erupted.
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Republican presidential candidate former President Trump pumps his fist as he is rushed off the stage during a rally in Butler, Pa., on July 13, 2024. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
“Every single agent acted swiftly – there wasn’t a slow one among them. A woman on my right was shielding me, doing everything she could, and she got hurt. The fake news criticized her for not being tall enough,” he added.
The Secret Service advising Donald Trump against holding outdoor rallies is absurd; it reflects an inability to manage outdoor venues.
Republican presidential candidate former President Trump is covered by Secret Service agents at a campaign rally, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
According to Michael Balboni, a former New York legislator and Homeland Security adviser involved in the Pope’s visit to Ground Zero, the federal government possesses the authority and means to provide comprehensive security for campaign events until the conclusion of the 2024 election. However, he noted that substantial revisions should occur afterwards.
“It’s absurd that the Secret Service is advising Donald Trump against outdoor rallies; this is an acknowledgment that they suddenly can’t manage outdoor events. What has changed after handling this for the past 20 years? It signals that the agency, despite all its resources, can’t ensure safety in an open environment,” Balboni remarked.
He indicated that it might be unprecedented to require a candidate to limit their campaigning exclusively to indoor events.
Then-presidential candidate Barack Obama speaks during an outdoor campaign rally at Buchanan Park in Lancaster, Pa., on Sept. 4, 2008. (Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
“Barack Obama managed to gather 80,000 people at his rallies – do you think he was told the same?” Trump questioned. “When Barack Obama assumed the presidency, there were widespread concerns regarding assassination threats against him as the first Black president. The security measures were intensified. What’s different here?”
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Trump is a divisive figure, he added.
A female Secret Service agent is seen shielding Trump after the assassination attempt in Butler, Pa., on July 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
“He’s a significant target,” he continued. “How did that impact their security preparations?”
The FBI is currently investigating the motive behind the failed assassination attempt by 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, alongside additional inquiries from Congress and other agencies concerning the security breach that enabled him to carry a rifle onto a rooftop a mere 150 yards from Trump.
“No one should ever be allowed to obstruct or inhibit free speech or assembly.”
Bill Gage, a former Secret Service agent and consultant at Safehaven Security Group, mentioned that the agency will likely face increased scrutiny all the way to the new director’s office.
“From a political standpoint, he must reappear at these events. He would appear weak if he avoids outdoor rallies. However, from a professional perspective, this poses challenges for the U.S. Secret Service. Every outdoor event will undergo comprehensive scrutiny, with staffing levels exceeding normal protocols, aiming to mitigate all potential threats. This is likely to overwhelm the agency during an exceptionally busy campaign season.”
Donald Trump reacts as multiple shots ring out during a campaign rally in Butler, Pa. on July 13, 2024. (REUTERS/Brendan McDermid)
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On Friday, Trump announced his intention to return to Butler for another rally in memory of the bystander who was killed by a stray bullet during the incident.
The shooting claimed the life of 50-year-old Corey Comperatore and left David Dutch, 57, and James Copenhaver, 74, critically injured.
Fox News’ Ashley Papa contributed to this report.
