Former President Donald Trump will be returning to the stage in Butler, Pennsylvania, this weekend with heightened security in place. The U.S. Secret Service has made significant changes and enhancements to their operations since the first assassination attempt against Trump. Security personnel will be stationed both inside and outside the secure perimeter, with additional federal resources, such as Homeland Security Investigations agents and TSA agents, present to ensure Trump’s safety and security. The security footprint will include counter sniper teams, enhanced counter drone technology, and Pennsylvania State Police officers on site.
A Senate report released last month highlighted planning, communications, and security failures in the Secret Service’s efforts during Trump’s July rally in Butler that led to the assassination attempt against him. These failures included problems with Secret Service radios, with one special agent giving away his radio and going without one for the rest of the day. Trump’s security detail now includes a radio communications specialist from the Secret Service’s Office of the Chief Information Officer to share real-time information with Trump’s team. The Secret Service is addressing vulnerabilities at the rally site, including line-of-sight threats, with stage enhancements, farm vehicles parked around the site, and bulletproof glass.
The two assassination attempts on Trump’s life came after the arrest of a Pakistani national with ties to Iran, who was charged with plotting a murder-for-hire scheme targeting U.S. officials, including Trump. The U.S. government has been tracking Iranian lethal plotting efforts targeting former and current U.S. government officials, with specific threats from Iran to assassinate Trump. The Department of Homeland Security released a Homeland Threat Assessment stating that Iran maintains its intent to kill U.S. government officials responsible for the death of Qassem Soleimani, carried out during the Trump administration. Authorities anticipate a large turnout of 25,000-30,000 attendees at the rally in Butler.
Federal law enforcement and local police have been planning for Trump’s return to Butler, with the first in-person planning meeting taking place earlier this week. The security apparatus around the GOP nominee will include counter sniper teams, enhanced technology, and additional personnel to ensure his safety. The Secret Service, Pennsylvania State Police, and Butler County Police will be operating from a unified command post during the event. Trump’s detail now includes a radio communications specialist to relay real-time information to his team, and measures are in place to address vulnerabilities at the rally site. Overall, the security for Trump’s rally in Butler has been significantly increased since the first assassination attempt against him.
