ASHEBORO, N. C. (AP) — Surrounded by bulletproof glass and heightened security, former President Donald Trump spoke Wednesday at a rally for the first time since the assassination attempt more than five weeks ago in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Speaking to a few thousand people, according to the campaign, Trump took the stage with bulletproof glass in front of him, and cell garages and giant trucks were brought in to block out any view of the rally from vantage points in the open air. soon security perimeter. There was a heavy police presence, surrounding the site with several snipers stationed on rooftops near the spot where the former president spoke on Wednesday.
According to two federal law enforcement officials, the collection had a variety of Secret Service assets: counter-sniper groups, drone deployment, anti-UAS or counter-drone technology, as well as complex counter-surveillance groups. The advance groups toured the collection site a week ago, a type of physically powerful visit that didn’t take place until July 13.
The practice of placing bulletproof glass for outdoor occasions is usually reserved for sitting presidents, but the Secret Service made an exception after Trump’s assassination attempt, according to law enforcement officials.
Trump will remain surrounded by glass at his outdoor rallies for the rest of the election cycle. Advisers close to the former president say he likes to hold his election rallies outdoors because they can accommodate more people.
The former president mentioned Butler’s shooting in his remarks, which focused primarily on national security, Vice President Kamala Harris and the ongoing Democratic National Convention.
However, the aftermath of the assassination attempt was still being felt Wednesday, with his supporters chanting “Fight!Fight! Fight!” Throughout Trump’s speech and Sen. J. D. Vance’s remarks, many attendees wore pro-Trump clothing with photographs of the assassination attempt, adding the now-iconic photo of the raised fist.
Gary and Kari Harvat, who were attending the rally for the first time, said they saw the gigantic security presence that made them feel “pretty good,” but they want to be courteous.
“I would like things to be more civilian on both sides,” Hartat said. “I hope we can do it. “
“I think it’s safer now, just because of what happened before,” Gary Harvat added. Both highlighted the presence of law enforcement in the buildings at the collection site.
“It can be said that there will be no mistake as before,” he added.
Trump told Musk in an Aug. 12 interview on social media platform X that he planned to return to the scene of the assassination attempt in October, weeks before the Nov. 5 presidential election.
“We are all ready,” Trump added. “The rest of the people at Butler are fantastic. ”