The US Secret Service erected a steel ring around Donald Trump as he returns to the scene of a failed assassination attempt 12 weeks ago.
As thousands of supporters swarmed the grounds of the Butler Farm Show in Pennsylvania, snipers sat atop shipping containers and officers swarmed the area along with police on horseback, turning it into a security fortress.
On July 13, gunman Thomas Crooks fired a volley of bullets from the roof of a nearby glass company warehouse that had disastrously been left unguarded, hitting Trump in the ear.
For Trump’s return, many hours before his arrival, a sniper was placed on the roof of the warehouse and local police closed the roads leading to the building. This time it will be within the security perimeter of the event.
On stage, a bulletproof screen was installed around the front and both sides of the lectern from which Trump was to speak.
A sniper sets up shop on the roof of a building before Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at Butler Farm Show, the site where a gunman attempted to assassinate him in July, Saturday, Oct. 5 2024. in Butler, Pennsylvania
A line of cargo containers was also placed on a grass area between the stage and the warehouse, also blocking other buildings with potential sight lines to the podium, including a water tower.
The firefighter uniform of Corey Comperatore, who died in the attack, had been placed in the stands behind the stage.
A memorial to Corey Comperatore, a retired volunteer fire department chief who was shot and killed in the July assassination attempt on Republican presidential candidate and former US President Donald Trump, on the day Trump returns to Butler, Pennsylvania , United States, on October 5, 2024.
The massive security operation has been planned for two weeks and involves counter-sniper teams, counter-strike teams and technology to repel drones.
US Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said: “Since the attempted assassination of former President Trump on July 13, the US Secret Service has made comprehensive changes and improvements to our communications capabilities, resources and intelligence operations. protection”.
“Today, the former president receives greater protection and we take our responsibility to ensure his safety very seriously.”
TSA agents were operating metal detectors at the entrance and Department of Homeland Security Homeland Security Investigations agents were inside and outside the premises.
Don Deazley carries a cross as he prays with Sue Hensal and others as they wait in line for a rally for Republican presidential candidate, former United States President Donald Trump, at the Butler Farm Show Inc. on October 5, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania.
The sun rises backstage before a campaign rally for Republican presidential candidate, former United States President Donald Trump, at the Butler Farm Show Inc. on October 5, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania.
It came amid continued Iranian threats against Trump.
The Justice Department said it is “intensely pursuing Iranian lethal conspiracy efforts against former and current U.S. government officials, and that includes the former president.”
Local Republican Congressman Mike Kelly said: “We’re starting from square one, including the perimeter. It will be far outside, with the AGR building (the warehouse where Crooks was shot from) within that protected area.
‘The water tower will be protected. We have a shield around the outside, more or less, that will protect that area and the people who are there.
‘The AGR property will be completely cordoned off and no one will be allowed entry. We will make sure it is safe.
Last week, Trump said, “I truly believe that will be the safest place on Earth.”
But the assassination attempt, in which a bullet grazed his ear, has changed his way of campaigning.
Attendees wait in line before a rally for Republican presidential candidate, former U.S. President Donald Trump, at the Butler Farm Show Inc. on October 5, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania. Trump holds rally in Butler at site of first assassination attempt
A Halloween decoration next to a flag in support of Republican presidential candidate, former US President Donald Trump, on the day Trump returns to the site of the assassination attempt against him in July, in Butler, Pennsylvania, USA, October 5, 202
There have been death threats directed at his aides, and his team is unable to quickly organize the mass demonstrations that have always been the signature of his campaigns.
The events were canceled and moved because the Secret Service lacked the resources to secure them safely.
Even with the use of glass barricades to protect Trump on stage, there are concerns about holding additional rallies outdoors due to fears about drones.
Chris LaCivita, a senior adviser to the Trump campaign, said: “If there’s one group of people that can handle something like this being thrust into their laps, it’s the team that Donald Trump put together to run this campaign, just based on everything.” what we have had to face. whether it be lawsuits to keep him out of the polls, accusations or assassination attempts.