US Election: Trump To Attend GOP Convention Despite Assassination Attempt

Trump Vows to Attend Despite Attack

Thousands of Republicans will gather in Milwaukee beginning Monday for the party’s presidential nominating convention, which will take on a different tone this year after a gunman shot at Donald Trump, injuring him, on Saturday.

Trump, who will be formally nominated as the GOP’s presidential nominee on Thursday, still plans to attend the convention. Officials stress the four-day event will go on as normal.

“Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers yesterday, as it was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening,” Trump wrote on social media Sunday morning. “We will FEAR NOT, but instead remain resilient in our Faith and Defiant in the face of Wickedness.”

The Shooter Identified and Neutralised

The shooting at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania is being investigated as an attempted assassination. The FBI identified the shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pa. The U.S. Secret Service “neutralised the shooter, who is now deceased,” the Secret Service said.

Senior advisors to the Trump campaign, Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita, released a statement hours after the shooting to confirm that Trump’s plans remain unchanged.

“President Trump looks forward to joining you all in Milwaukee as we proceed with our convention to nominate him to serve as the 47th President of the United States,” Wiles and LaCivita wrote in a joint statement.

Heightened Security Measures

Political party conventions are designated as National Special Security Events or NSSEs, and come with extremely heightened security compared to a typical campaign rally.

READ ALSO: Trump Leaves Hospital After Assassination Attempt At Rally

The Secret Service will have at least two security perimeters around the Fiserv Forum in downtown Milwaukee. The city itself will be swarming with additional federal, state, and local law enforcement officers.

Reince Priebus, chairman of the MKE 2024 Host Committee, expressed his sorrow over the incident, stating, “This horrific violence has no place in America.”

He added that guests have already begun arriving in Wisconsin and that the committee looks forward to working with the Republican National Committee to welcome everyone to Milwaukee.

Convention Agenda and GOP Platform

The convention will still host speeches throughout the week, and the dozens of side events hosted by state Republican Parties and conservative organizations were still expected to continue, though likely with a more somber mood.

Party conventions have traditionally served as an opportunity for the GOP to showcase its candidates up and down the ballot and unify behind their presidential nominee after sometimes divisive primaries. They’re also the point every four years, with at least one exception, when party leaders release their key policy goals for the next four years.

The RNC released its trimmed-down party platform the week prior to the convention, after foregoing one entirely in 2020. The platform wraps in longtime party goals as well as others tied to Trump.

Reactions to the New Platform

Some Republicans were critical that the platform adopts Trump’s position that abortion access be left up to states — one of the top issues in the presidential race.

Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy said, “I’m pro-life and I like the way it was previously.”

Iowa Republican Sen. Joni Ernst said, “I am pro-life and I am always going to be adamantly pro-life. So would I like to see more robust language in the platform? Certainly.”

Oklahoma Sen. James Lankford said, “Obviously, this is a platform that’s wrapped around him. It’s a new model for presidential platforms to be wrapped around the candidate.”

Mike Pence, former Indiana governor and vice president during Trump’s first term in office, released a statement saying the “RNC platform is a profound disappointment to the millions of pro-life Republicans that have always looked to the Republican Party to stand for life.”

Speculation on Trump’s Running Mate

The RNC convention could also be the showcase for Trump announcing his running mate, after months of speculation about who would get the nod.

As of Friday, Trump had not revealed his pick, though speculation centered around Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum.

Trump wrote Thursday on social media that he is “looking very much forward to being in Milwaukee next week.” He added, “The great people of Wisconsin will reward us for choosing their State for the Republican National Convention. From there, we go on to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

The vice presidential candidate typically gives a speech on Wednesday night, so Trump is expected to make his announcement before then.

Despite the attack, the convention will proceed with heightened security and a somber mood.

Trump remains committed to his campaign and to addressing the nation from Milwaukee, underscoring the resilience and determination of his supporters and the Republican Party.