The assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump continues to take the nation by storm after fresh reports emerged that The United States Secret Service has reportedly urged Trump to stop holding outdoor rallies.
The Secret Service cited security concerns following the recent assassination attempt, according to sources who spoke with the Washington Post on Tuesday.
According to WaPo, Secret Service officials recommended that the former president avoid large outdoor gatherings following the agency’s security lapses during the attempted assassination at his rally at Butler Farm Show in Butler, Pennsylvania.
In response, Trump’s campaign team is reportedly considering more indoor venues for future rallies.
Trump: Bullets were flying over my head and I received no warnings of a potential problem before. I got lucky turning my head in the exact position that saved me. The Secret Service agents on stage though were unbelievable and brave. pic.twitter.com/9tkcaHu0wA
— Jesse Watters (@JesseBWatters) July 23, 2024
An anonymous Trump campaign official agreed with the Secret Service’s advice. The campaign official maintained that while indoor venues are more expensive, they offer better security because of the limited number of entrances. The official also noted that an indoor rally makes for easier crowd control, according to WaPo.
It remains unclear how Trump feels about moving his rallies indoors. Former Trump spokeswoman Sarah Matthews told WaPo that the former president loves being outdoors.
“We’ve seen from the early days of his presidency even, and before that during his first campaign in 2016, how important crowd size is to him. It gives him a lot of joy and energy being with large crowds,” Matthews said. “He feeds off their energy. It’s almost like a source of comfort for him. Obviously, with an indoor venue, you have a capacity. It doesn’t pack the same punch. There’s something about being at one of those outdoor rallies.
The latest report comes after U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned over her handling of the former president’s security.
“I take full responsibility for the security lapse,” Cheatle wrote in an email to staff on Tuesday. “In light of recent events, it is with a heavy heart that I have made the difficult decision to step down as your director.”
Director Cheatle answered our calls to resign. Good. ⁰⁰Now our task force will quickly and thoroughly investigate the assassination attempt on President Trump and hold those responsible accountable. pic.twitter.com/s1tAVm35DQ
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) July 23, 2024
Cheatle came underfire after multiple reports showed that Trump’s Secret Service detail requested more security personnel and resources prior to the assassination attempt. Cheatle denied those requests.
