Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has asked the Secret Service to increase security for the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, citing the possibility of clashes between protesters and Republican attendees. .
“Security perimeters around the Republican convention site in Milwaukee may create areas where conflicts between protesters and convention attendees and delegates are both likely and avoidable.” “We are deeply concerned by the reports,” the Kentucky Republican said in a letter to the Secret Service on Friday. Directed by Kimberly Cheatle.
“As you know, this has been an extremely difficult year for protests in the United States. We must do our best to balance the right to express,” he added.
Tens of thousands of Republican delegates, guests and members of the media will gather at the Fiserv Forum in downtown Milwaukee from July 15th to July 18th for the Republican presidential nominating convention. There, former President Donald Trump will be formally announced as the party’s 2024 presidential candidate.
A key issue for Mr. McConnell and other Republicans is the designation of Pere Marquette Park in downtown Milwaukee as a “First Amendment zone” where protesters gather.
The park is just outside the current Secret Service perimeter and will be passed through by convention participants who choose to walk to the arena, the newspaper said. milwaukee journal sentinel.
“While I strongly support the First Amendment right to assemble and speak, time, place, and etiquette restrictions exist for a reason,” McConnell wrote. “In potentially volatile situations, such as a large political convention held in the downtown area of a large city, it is important to balance the First Amendment location of the activity with the safety of convention participants. It is essential to secure access points to the tournament.”
The letter from the top Senate Republican was first reported by The Washington Post.
Mr. McConnell’s letter was prompted by a heated meeting last week between Republican leaders and Secret Service officials, during which the Secret Service was forced to move protests further away from the convention site and The committee refused to meet with the director of the department. , According to the outlet.
Secret Service officials told the Republican delegation that the threats of violence were not credible and that pushing them further out of First Amendment territory could lead to lawsuits.
A Secret Service spokesperson told the Post that the convention security plan is “not a political issue” and is being coordinated with multiple federal, state and local authorities.
“Development of operational security plans for national special security events, including the 2024 Republican National Convention, will be overseen by an executive steering committee comprised of Secret Service personnel in the field and other federal, state, and government representatives. “The local agency that best understands the host city and the expected safety environment at the event,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
“Security planning is based on security considerations, including risk and threat assessment, and is not a political issue,” the statement added.
“The U.S. Secret Service is confident in the security plan being developed and appreciates the continued coordination of all of our partners in Milwaukee as we work together to ensure the highest level of safety and security for the Games.” are doing.”
