Milwaukee is set to play host to the Republican National Convention (RNC) this week. The city’s history includes an assassination attempt on Teddy Roosevelt in 1912 during his re-election campaign as a third party candidate. Former President Donald Trump, who also survived a similar attack at a rally in Pennsylvania last year, is expected to be officially crowned the party’s presidential nominee at the convention.
Security measures have been enhanced around the convention site since the incident in Pennsylvania. While some adjustments might be made, former FBI and Milwaukee Police Department sources indicate that major changes are unlikely.
The RNC is being held in Milwaukee due to its 10 coveted electoral votes, which make it a significant swing state in the election. Trump’s relationship with Milwaukee has been tumultuous; he won the city by less than one percentage point in 2016, and previously referred to it as “horrible” behind closed doors, though he denied making that statement.
Former Wisconsin congressman Paul Ryan has said he will not attend the convention if Trump is the nominee. He also stated that he believes it’s “quite possible” Trump would challenge the election results again if he were to lose. The city is currently dealing with incidents involving workers covering a street sign with a Donald Trump-related name, and state Democrats and Republicans are fighting over the issue on Twitter.
Security measures at the convention site have also come under scrutiny, as Wisconsin’s concealed and open carry laws will allow guns within the security perimeter. Despite these concerns, Milwaukee is excited to host the event, with RNC representative Rachel Reisner calling it a “historic television production” that will highlight the party’s America First agenda and create positive economic impact on the city.
In 2016, Milwaukee was prepared to welcome the Democratic National Convention, which eventually pulled out due to COVID concerns. Now, with the infrastructure already in place for a convention of this scale, Milwaukee is ready to embrace the Republican National Convention and showcase its vibrant culture and spirit.
