FORMER President Donald Trump’s campaign rallies changed forever after his shocking assassination attempt.
The Republican presidential candidate took special security precautions ahead of his second rally since the shooting.
5
Donald Trump was hit in the right ear at his campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13, 2024, after gunman Thomas Crooks opened fire on him and his supporters.
Two people were seriously injured and former fire chief Corey Comperatore died while shielding his family from the gunfire.
Despite the traumatic event, it only took a few days for the former president to return to the stage.
The following week, he traveled to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for the Republican National Convention, where he accepted his nomination and anointed Senator J.D. Vance as vice president.
Read more about Donald Trump
He quickly relaunched his rallies and held his first campaign event in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on July 20.
On July 24, Trump took over the Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina, but came with an entirely new security team.
This rally will include enhanced measures that have been tested on Nexstar affiliate station RNC WJZY reported.
At the rally in Michigan, plainclothes and uniformed police officers observed several blocks in downtown Grand Rapids, the publication reported.
Security experts say “extended perimeters” will likely become more common at political events, according to WJZY.
Many politiciansincluding South Carolina Republican Rep. Nancy Mace, are showing their support for increased security.
“It’s not a partisan issue, it’s a very non-partisan issue,” Mace told News Nation.
“If you’re president of the United States, if you’re running for president, including RFK Jr., you should hire the Secret Service. That should never happen in this country.”
Trump’s rally in Charlotte began at 6 pm ET on July 24, with doors opening at 2 pm.
More from The US Sun on the Trump rally shooting:
- Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, was identified as a person of interest by the Secret Service 62 minutes before the shooting, according to reports.
- Local police spotted thugs lurking at the rally site with a rangefinder, a hunting device used to measure distances to remote objects, about 30 minutes earlier. donald trump took the stage in Butler, Pennsylvania.
- Federal authorities said Crooks had a cell phone and transmitter when he was killed on the roof of the AGR building, about 400 feet from the rally podium.
- Crooks visited the Trump rally site in Butler at least once before the shooting, according to CBS News.
- He also conducted online research on the date of Trump’s rally in Butler, the Democratic National Convention, FBI Director Christopher Way, Attorney General Merrick Garland and members of the British royal family, the outlet reported.
- The alleged killer searched for images of Trump and the president Joe Biden.
- Crooks also hid his father’s assault rifle in advance, according to Fox News.
- FBI investigators are still working to determine the motive for Thomas Crooks’ murder.
- Crooks’ laptop and two cell phones were sent to the FBI laboratory in Virginia for further analysis.
WHAT WENT WRONG?
Many Americans wonder how the shooter – 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks – managed to avoid the Secret Service and shoot Trump.
On July 13, the Republican presidential candidate was speaking at his rally in Butler when he was shot in the right ear.
He then ducked behind the podium and Secret Service agents rushed to his side.
Crooks used an AR-15 to fire eight shots at Trump from a rooftop 400 feet to the side of the stage.
The assassination attempt sparked an outcry from the public and lawmakers who wondered why and how the Secret Service failed to secure the roof.
5
On July 23, Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned from her position in a letter to employees, NBC News reported for the first time.
“The Secret Service’s solemn mission is to protect our nation’s leaders and financial infrastructure. On July 13, we did not accomplish that mission,” Cheatle wrote.
“Scrutiny over the past week has been intense and will continue to be as our operational tempo increases. As your Director, I take full responsibility for the security breach.
“However, this incident does not define us. We continue to be an organization based on integrity and made up of individuals of exceptional dedication and talent.
“As I have stated, the Secret Service will move forward with our investigative and protective mission steadily.
“We do not back down from the challenge. However, I do not want my resignations to be a distraction from the excellent work each of you does toward our vital mission.”
5
5
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
