Former US President Donald Trump is planning to stop holding open-air election rallies in the wake of the July 13 assassination attempt, according to a report. NewsweekThe Republican contender’s team for 2024 has said campaigning will be done indoors for safety reasons. Mr Trump may still attend small outdoor rallies, but they will be held in stadium-like venues with strict entry restrictions.
Notably, Mr. Trump has hosted hundreds of outdoor rallies since announcing his presidential campaign. For his fans and supporters, these events have taken the form of festivals, featuring parties and vendors selling campaign memorabilia and merchandise.
The move, which was first reported, Washington PostThe incident coincides with the resignation of Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle on Tuesday. Ms Cheatle faced hostile questioning by both Democrats and Republicans before a congressional committee over apparent security lapses before the attempted assassination of Mr Trump by a 20-year-old gunman.
In her resignation letter, Ms. Cheatle said she had decided to leave the agency “with a heavy heart,” and cited the Butler rally as a failure by the agency to fulfill its responsibility to “protect our nation’s leaders.”
According to Washington Post According to the report, Mr Trump’s team informed the Secret Service that his 2024 re-election campaign intends to host larger events and would require more resources and security. However, it is believed the agency declined the requests due to a lack of funds.
Meanwhile, a gunman attempted to assassinate the 45th US president at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania today, shooting him in the ear. Blood was visible on his cheeks and mouth. The attacker has been identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks. He has been killed. Officials said a bystander also died in the shooting and two others were “critically” injured.
The 78-year-old Republican presidential contender, whose team claimed he was “fine”, was attacked shortly after he began his speech. “I knew immediately that something was wrong, because I heard a loud noise, a gunshot, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin,” Mr Trump said on his Truth social account.
