Asheboro, North Carolina – Surrounded by bulletproof glass and heightened security, former President Donald Trump spoke at a rally Wednesday for the first time since the assassination attempt that occurred more than five weeks ago in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Speaking before 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 any view of the rally from potential outdoor vantage points to ensure immediate security. perimeter. There was a heavy police presence, surrounding the location with several snipers stationed on rooftops near 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 installing bulletproof glass for outdoor occasions is typically reserved for sitting presidents, but the Secret Service made an exception following Trump’s assassination attempt, according to officials. application of laws.
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 the Butler 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 attended the rally for the first time, said they noticed the heavy security presence that made them feel “pretty good,” but that they want to be courteous.
“I would like things to be more civil on both sides,” Harvat said. “I hope we can make it happen. “
“I think it’s safer now, precisely because of what happened before,” Hartat added. Both stressed the presence of the police in the buildings at the site of the demonstration.
“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. “