Uncertainty about RNC convention security after shooting at Trump rally in Pennsylvania
Attention quickly shifted to security at the upcoming Republican National Committee Convention after gun shots at a Pennsylvania rally led to former President Donald Trump being rushed from the stage by U.S. Secret Service personnel.
It will almost certainly lead to a drastic ramp up in security for the more than 50,000 politicians, delegates and media personnel expected to flow into Milwaukee for the convention over the next 36 hours.
"My staff and I are in contact with those coordinating security planning for the RNC and will continue to be in close communication as we learn more about this situation," Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
Florida Sen. Rick Scott called on the head of the Secret Service to explain quickly.
"The Director of the Secret Service needs to come out ASAP and let us know how this happened and how everyone at the RNC and DNC conventions will be safe," Scott said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
In a joint statement, Trump's campaign and the Republican National Committee said it would proceed with the convention but didn't detail any changes to the schedule or security protocol.
"President Trump looks forward to joining you all in Milwaukee as we proceed with our convention to nominate him to serve as the 47th President of the United States,” the campaign and RNC said in the statement. “As our party’s nominee, President Trump will continue to share his vision to Make America Great Again.”
There was a security sweep underway at the convention site at the time of the Pennsylvania shooting.
Former Secret Service Special Agent Joe Funk told USA TODAY that today's incident is “sad commentary on where we are right now," but most likely won't change security presence at the RNC convention.
Planning for the convention has been underway for a year and despite the issues raised from the shooting, Funk doesn't think there aren't a lot of changes the U.S. Secret Service can make to change security protocols at this point.
"It's operating at such a high level of efficiency right now because it is a major, major event," the over 40-year security veteran said. "There's really not much more that you can do."
Unlike in some previous convention sites, Wisconsin state law prohibits Milwaukee from banning firearms within the security "footprint," but guns will not be allowed in credential-required areas closer to the venue.
The U.S. Secret Service will not allow any weapons in the hard zone except for those possessed by working law enforcement officers, an agency spokesperson previously told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, but the agency has not provided specifics about how that will be enforced.
Last month Milwaukee alderman Robert Bauman sought to ban guns within the security “footprint” following revelations that most firearms would be allowed in the footprint but typically innocuous items would be prohibited as part of security procedures.
He argued the state law was not written with an event like the convention in mind, but his effort failed to gain traction.
Even for the Secret Service, Funk said, there are restraints on how far protection can go.
"It's an unfortunate, acceptable risk you have to take," he said.
Trump was speaking to supporters in Butler County, Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh when he fell to the stage following several gunshots. He was pictured with blood on his face as Secret Service surrounded him and escorted him to an SUV but was quickly confirmed to be "fine" by his campaign.
In a statement, Trump said that his ear was injured and that he "felt the bullet ripping through the skin." The Secret Service has confirmed that one member of the audience died and two others were injured.
More: Former President Donald Trump rushed from stage at rally, appeared to have blood on his face
Republican National Convention spokespeople did not immediately answer their phones Saturday evening but forwarded a statement from Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung that was focused on Trump's health.
Political conventions are massive national security events, with dozens of law enforcement agencies spending months involved in organizing and protecting the crowds.
Former Rep. Mary Bono, R-Calif., told USA TODAY, "I do believe it’s going to be a challenging few months. The conventions are very stressful to begin with. With the political angst we’re witnessing this year, tension is going to be at an all time high."
Contributing: Darren Samuelsohn
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Convention security expected to increase after shots at Trump rally
