No changes in RNC security plan after Trump assassination attempt

Published: Jul. 14, 2024 at 11:10 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - The security plan for the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee will remain the same despite the attempted assignation of former President Donald Trump, which happened two days before the event is set to begin.

“We’re not creating any changes to our operational security plans for this event,” said Audrey Gibson-Cicchino, U.S. Secret Service RNC Coordinator, at a press conference on Sunday afternoon. “This is a national special security event. That designation is the highest level of security designation that the federal government can determine. So we are confident in these security plans that are in place for this event, and we’re ready to go.”

Questions and concerns about security have been lingering after the attempt. Earlier in the day before law enforcement officials spoke, President Joe Biden ordered a review of the RNC security plans.

“I’ve directed the head of the Secret Service to review all security measures, all security measures, for the Republican National Convention, which is scheduled to start tomorrow,” he said.

Law enforcement officials said at the press conference that for the last 18 months, there has been extensive planning for security at the convention.

Security measures for it include a security perimeter spanning across downtown Milwaukee, security checkpoints, fencing and members of law enforcement from federal and state agencies.

The inner part of the perimeter near the Fiserv Forum, where the convention is taking place, is limited only to those who have a credential.

Another part of the original security plan that remains unchanged is the allowance of guns in the outer part of the perimeter.

Milwaukee Police Department Chief Jeffrey Norman, whose department is overseeing security in the outer perimeter along with other local law enforcement agencies, said that part of the plan is not changing because of state law.

“In regards to the ability to, carry a firearm outside of the inner perimeter, again, our state law allows for, the particular, right to carry firearm,” he said. “We have to respect, Second Amendment right to carry a firearm, especially in regards to open carry or carry concealed your license. And so that is again, an issue that we have to navigate.”