Trump agrees to halt outdoor rally events in wake of Secret Service request

By 
 July 25, 2024

The events of July 13, when a would-be assassin opened fire at a political rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, continue to send shockwaves across the country and may prove pivotal in reshaping presidential campaign events in the months ahead.

In the aftermath of the attack that left one man dead, two seriously injured, and Donald Trump with a graze wound to the ear, the former president has agreed to cooperate -- at least for now -- with a veritable ban on holding future rallies outdoors, as requested by the U.S. Secret Service, according to NBC News.

Trump to cease most outdoor events

Though Trump has long been able to draw massive crowds to his trademark outdoor rallies, the incident earlier this month has caused the Secret Service to request a change in protocol.

Perhaps due to an internal acknowledgment of the very real dangers posed by outdoor venues – and the Secret Service's apparent inability to prevent the type of risk that reared its head in Pennsylvania, the campaign has acquiesced to the agency's recently stated preferences.

NBC News cited two internal campaign sources who said that in the wake of the attempt on Trump's life, indoor rallies are where efforts will be focused.

The sources did, however, keep open the possibility that Trump would take part in outdoor events that were smaller in scope or in larger ones where venue entrances can be better controlled.

Secret Service advises change

It was the Washington Post that initially reported the Secret Service's suggestion to the Trump camp that outdoor events be eschewed in the future due to safety concerns.

The outlet referenced information from a source said to be familiar with the matter, though the Secret Service declined to comment directly on its protective methods.

As the Post noted, Trump has become well-known for his large outdoor rallies, which have been part of his campaigns going back to his 2016 presidential bid.

The events are often day-long festival-like gatherings, replete with tailgate-type parties, commercial vendors, musical performances, and multiple speakers.

Given that the events are often hosted at fairgrounds, football stadiums, airports, and the like, the security failings of July 13 have forced reconsideration of the wisdom of the open-air venues for the remainder of the campaign season.

Rallies poised to continue

Though, as the Post points out, indoor rallies are costlier, but they do afford greater security due to the defined number of entry points and the reduction in potential line-of-sight issues.

One Trump campaign insider acknowledged the heightened safety indoor arenas may bring, but lamented the difference, saying, “Obviously, with an indoor venue, you have a capacity. It doesn't pack the same punch. There's something about being at one of those outdoor rallies.”

Even so, the Trump campaign shows no signs of slowing down, with the former president having held a rally at Charlotte, North Carolina's Bojangles Coliseum on Wednesday and preparing for yet another event slated to take place in a St. Cloud, Minnesota hockey arena this Saturday.

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