Following the assassination attempt on him, former President Trump vowed to continue holding outdoor rallies, defying the Secret Service’s urging him to hold them indoors.
In a post on Truth Social on Saturday, President Trump announced that outdoor rallies would continue to take place, saying the Secret Service had agreed to “significantly increase operations.”
“They are fully capable of doing so,” he said. “No one can be permitted to prevent or impede freedom of speech or assembly.”
Trump’s vote of confidence came after the Secret Service urged his campaign not to hold large outdoor rallies under certain circumstances following the assassination attempt.
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Former President Trump spoke on the final day of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on July 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Paul Sancia)
President Trump was wounded in his right ear during an assassination attempt in western Pennsylvania on Saturday, July 13. The FBI confirmed on Friday that Trump was shot.
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The attack on the Republican presidential candidate has prompted calls for an immediate investigation into the security failings that allowed 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks to open fire on President Trump.
Former President Trump is assisted by Secret Service agents after shots rang out during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024. (Reuters/Brendan McDiarmid)
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Kimberly Cheatle stepped down as the department’s director last week amid growing calls from lawmakers for her to step down.
“The Secret Service’s solemn mission is to protect our nation’s leaders. On July 13th, we failed,” she told lawmakers of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee during a hearing before announcing her resignation.
Former President Trump kisses Corey Comperatore’s helmet during the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on July 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Luke)
President Trump announced Friday that he would return to Butler, Pennsylvania, to hold another rally to honor the memory of firefighter Cory Comperatore, who was killed at the rally.
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“I will be returning to Butler, Pennsylvania to hold a huge, amazing rally to honor the spirit of our beloved firefighter hero, Corey, and the brave patriots who were injured two weeks ago,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. “What a day it will be. Fight, fight, fight! Stay tuned for more details.”
