This week’s Republican National Convention will continue as scheduled after the assassination attempt on Donald Trump — but the reality of the former president being shot will hang over the convention, triggering key changes.
Security
The perimeter of the Fiserv Forum, where the convention is being held in Milwaukee, Wisc., was already set to be highly monitored by local law enforcement and the Secret Service.
But the shooting at Trump’s rally in Butler, Penn., on Saturday night led to even more heightened security within hours in the Milwaukee area, and the perimeter where attendees have to show passes has been expanded.
Trump advisers Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita also sent out a memo alerting campaign staff to “stay away from the office” in Florida and Washington, DC, as officials monitor the situation. The memo did not mention any increased security for campaign staffers at the RNC, but it did reiterate that the convention “will continue as planned.”
The 20-year-old local gunman who shot Trump, Thomas Matthrew Crooks, was positioned on a roof top near the campaign rally Saturday night. He shot Trump in the upper right ear and killed a male rally-goer. Secret Service agents then fatally shot Crooks within seconds.
The proximity of the bullet to Trump’s skull has some experts saying the former president saved his own life by turning his head at the last moment to look at a jumbotron.
Trump touched his face when he was hit and ducked down before Secret Service agents covered him. He was escorted into an SUV in his motorcade and transported to a local hospital, where he had a medical check-up and was released.
Trump’s Secret Service detail is just a fraction of that of President Biden’s since he’s not currently in office, sources familiar with the situation told The Post. His campaign often asks for additional security for him.
The candidate
The 45th president will likely talk about the assassination attempt at the convention, using it as a way to address the nation about the stakes of the election and the political climate.
Trump has already made two statements on Truth Social about the shooting.
“I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania,” Trump wrote in his first statement after being shot. “Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured.
“It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country,” he added, revealing that he was “shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear.”
Trump also posted Sunday morning, speaking about religion and the state of the country while stressing he will be at the RNC convention.
“Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers yesterday, as it was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening,” he wrote.
“We will FEAR NOT, but instead remain resilient in our Faith and Defiant in the face of Wickedness. Our love goes out to the other victims and their families. We pray for the recovery of those who were wounded, and hold in our hearts the memory of the citizen who was so horribly killed.
“In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United, and show our True Character as Americans, remaining Strong and Determined, and not allowing Evil to Win. I truly love our Country, and love you all, and look forward to speaking to our Great Nation this week from Wisconsin.”
Speeches
The speakers’ schedule for the convention has yet to be revealed, but some notable names have already been confirmed, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, upstate New York Rep. Elise Stefanik and Donald Trump Jr.
Some of the speakers had already turned in their planned speeches but are now wanting to restructure their remarks after Saturday’s events, sources told The Post.
Veep pick
Trump is expected to announce his vice presidential pick during the convention. He has not revealed when or how he will announce his No.2, but all signs point to him making the announcement at the event this week, given the timing and his previous remarks about potentially doing it then.
Sources previously told The Post that the most likely candidates for Trump’s running mate are North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and Sen. JD Vance (R-OH). Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) could also be the pick, sources familiar with the situation said.
But as late as Friday, sources close to the Trump campaign told The Post that Trump had not yet revealed his choice to anyone.
The former president could choose someone else entirely not on his reported list or could select another prominent supporter such as Stefanik or former 2016 candidate Ben Carson — both of whom were with him at the first presidential debate alongside the other frontrunners.
As the choice is entirely up to Trump, he also could change his mind last minute in the wake of the shooting.
One source close to the Trump campaign told The Post they didn’t think the shooting would change Trump’s would mind.