Special Poll
Wiles and LaCivita have advised campaign staff, some of whom are already in Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention, to avoid their offices in West Palm Beach, Florida, and Washington until a safety assessment is completed. They mentioned that security at both locations will be increased, including the presence of armed security officers available 24/7.
“Our highest priority is to keep all of you on this staff safe,” the memo stated.
They also urged staff to be mindful of the political polarization in this heated election and to report anything unusual to leadership or the on-site security team immediately. “Please do not comment publicly on today’s events. We condemn all forms of violence and will not tolerate dangerous rhetoric on social media,” Wiles and LaCivita wrote.
On Saturday night, the former president survived an attack that federal law enforcement is investigating as an assassination attempt. The incident injured Trump, left two critically wounded, and resulted in the death of an attendee. The shooter, who targeted Trump and the crowd from outside the rally grounds, was also killed.
This dramatic event occurred just before the start of the Republican convention in Milwaukee, where Trump will formally accept the nomination.
“The RNC Convention will continue as planned in Milwaukee, where we will nominate our President to be the brave and fearless nominee of our Party,” the memo concluded.
RNC Chair Michael Whatley confirmed that the convention will proceed as planned. “The show is going to take place,” he told FOX News’ Shannon Bream during an interview from Fiserv Forum, the convention site in Milwaukee.
The RNC is collaborating with the Secret Service and 40 different law enforcement agencies to ensure the facility is secure. “We are going to be able to have 50,000 delegates, alternates, guests, and members of the media who will be here and who will be safe,” Whatley said during his FOX News Sunday interview.
Wisconsin’s Republican Senator Ron Johnson assured that concerns around the gathering area have been addressed but encouraged a strong law enforcement presence at the convention to “deter any kind of violence.”
“I’m not concerned about Wisconsin citizens. I’d be concerned about outside agitators,” Johnson said to CNN’s Jake Tapper on State of the Union Sunday morning. “But obviously, I think this is just going to heighten security, and it needs to be heightened.”
Representative Mike Turner (R-Ohio), chair of the House Intelligence Committee, stated in an interview with Tapper that he agrees with FBI Director Christopher Wray that this is the “highest-level threat that we’ve had since 9/11.”