October 05, 2024

Trump Set to Return to Pennsylvania Site of July 13 Assassination Attempt

Donald Trump is set to return to Butler, Pennsylvania, this Saturday, revisiting the site where an assassination attempt took place against him on July 13. This rally, part of his 2024 presidential campaign, marks his first time back in Butler since the dramatic incident, during which a gunman fired at the former president, grazing him with a bullet. The would-be assassin, 20-year-old sniper Thomas Crooks, was shot and killed by Secret Service agents shortly after opening fire at the rally, which was held at the Butler Farm Show.

In light of the previous attack, security for this event is expected to be significantly tighter. Trump will be protected by bulletproof glass, a safety measure that has been in place at his outdoor rallies since late August, in response to the increasing security threats. Local law enforcement and the Secret Service are preparing for heightened vigilance, with Butler County Sheriff Mike Slupe noting that security resources will likely be "quadruple" what they were in July.

During the rally, Trump plans to pay tribute to Corey Comperatore, a man who tragically lost his life shielding his wife and daughters from the gunfire on July 13. Trump will also honor David Dutch and James Copenhaver, two other individuals who were injured in the shooting. The incident was the first of two assassination attempts aimed at Trump in recent months, the second occurring in September when an armed man was found near the perimeter of Trump's Palm Beach golf course in Florida. These events have led to a significant reevaluation of how the Secret Service protects presidential candidates and public figures, according to the agency's leadership.

Butler County District Attorney Rich Goldinger expressed the seriousness with which local authorities are treating the upcoming rally, stating, "We don't want to see that happen again," in reference to the July shooting. Law enforcement, along with the Secret Service, is making extensive preparations to ensure that the event proceeds without incident. Slupe, the county sheriff, said they are expecting a large crowd and that all necessary precautions are being taken.

Despite the security risks, Trump's supporters are eager to see him return to Butler, viewing the rally as a key opportunity to leverage the heightened media attention generated by the assassination attempt. Pennsylvania is considered one of the most crucial swing states in the upcoming election, and polls show Trump in a tight race with Democratic candidate Kamala Harris. A Trump ally, speaking anonymously to NBC News, remarked that the Butler event will likely receive more media coverage than Trump's typical rallies due to the publicity surrounding the attempted assassination.

The significance of the rally is further underscored by the high-profile individuals set to attend alongside Trump, including billionaire Elon Musk, Trump's vice-presidential running mate Sen. JD Vance, seven House Republicans, and Missouri Senator Eric Schmitt. Their presence signals the importance of this event for the campaign as they look to make a strong statement in Pennsylvania.

However, the increased spotlight on the Butler rally also highlights some of the more divisive and aggressive rhetoric Trump has employed on the campaign trail in recent weeks. Following the assassination attempt in July, Trump initially struck a conciliatory tone, posting on his social media platform that Americans must remain "Strong and Determined" and not "allow Evil to Win." But since then, his language has shifted, with Trump using his rallies to denounce Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and others with particularly harsh attacks. He has referred to Democrats as "dangerous people" and called for Harris to be "impeached and prosecuted," while also questioning her mental fitness by labeling her as "mentally impaired."

This intensifying rhetoric, combined with the backdrop of the July shooting, has put a spotlight on the polarizing nature of Trump's campaign. As security efforts ramp up ahead of the Butler rally, it remains to be seen how this return to the site of the assassination attempt will play out, both for the campaign and for the broader political landscape as the 2024 election approaches.