The United States Secret Service is taking a near-miss assassination attempt and turning it into an opportunity for change within the agency. After the catastrophic failure to secure Donald Trump’s July 13th rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, the Secret Service has come up with a recommendation that reeks of ulterior motives: advising the Trump campaign to stop holding large outdoor rallies altogether.
This news was first reported by The Washington Post, shortly after the resignation ofSecret Service Director Kimberley Cheatle. Her agency’s inadequate response to the threat in Pennsylvania left a former president and two spectators wounded, with another person losing their life. The incident undermines a cornerstone of Trump campaign culture: sprawling outdoor rallies complete with tailgate barbecues, merchants selling Trump-branded gear, and vehicles decorated in tribute to the former president.
Given how close Trump came to a fatal headshot due to the Secret Service’s shortcomings—an error that may take a long time to correct—his campaign might be rightfully taking the agency’s suggestion to heart. For upcoming events, Trump’s team is now scouting indoor venues such as basketball arenas and other large spaces where thousands of people can fit. The campaign has not yet planned any more large outdoor rallies.
From a security perspective, indoor events have many advantages. With fewer entrances and exits, there are fewer opportunities for would-be assassins to sneak in, including those who might attempt a shot from much greater distances than the 400 feet that Trump’s shooter had. However, it should be noted that this change doesn’t necessarily mean that Trump will never hold outdoor rallies again.
Nixing outdoor rallies may also hit the Trump campaign in its checkbook, as it is much more expensive to rent a major indoor arena than an exurban fairground like the Butler Farm Show grounds where some previous events were held. Smaller venues cost less but provide far fewer fans with the opportunity to attend. According to his campaign’s event schedule, Trump’s next two appearances will be at the 9,600-seat Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte and the 6,000-seat Herb Brooks National Hockey Center in St. Cloud, Minnesota.
Throughout his time in office, Trump has accused the media of trying to avoid showing the size of his crowds, while at the same time we watched as observers gushed over Kamala Harris filling a high school gym in Wisconsin with just a few hundred people present. This shift away from large outdoor events may make it more difficult for the campaign to showcase its true level of support, but it seems that for now, the safety and security of attendees are taking priority.
