Under heightened security, former President Donald Trump is set to resume a campaign rally in Butler Township, Pennsylvania. The rally was cut short on July 13 when a gunman opened fire, killing one person and injuring three others, including Trump himself. The event will take place at the Butler Farm Show Inc., the same location where the shooting occurred. Trump is scheduled to speak at 5 p.m. Eastern time, with pre-event speakers expected but not yet announced.
Trump had vowed to return to Butler after narrowly avoiding being hit by a bullet during the previous rally. He expressed his obligation to finish what they started in an interview with NewsNation cable TV network earlier this week.
The U.S. Secret Service has faced criticism for security lapses surrounding the shooting incident and another foiled plan to kill Trump while he was golfing in Florida on September 15. However, local and federal officials have expressed confidence that necessary adjustments have been made for enhanced protection.
Additional precautions since the July 13 rally include glass barriers at outdoor events and stricter screenings for attendees passing through security checkpoints.
The upcoming rally will feature several special guests such as Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and Founder of Space X; Senator JD Vance; Eric Trump; Lara Trump; loved ones of Corey Comperatore who was killed during the previous rally; wounded attendee David Dutch; medical personnel; members of Frog-X Parachute Team; speed-painting artist Scott LoBaido; and musician Lee Greenwood.
Sheriff James Ott from Blair County, Pennsylvania is among about a dozen sheriffs expected to attend Saturday’s event. Ott praised Trump’s genuine personality and expressed excitement about showing support for someone he believes has done a tremendous job for their country.
The rescheduled Butler rally comes just before the November presidential election which appears to be closely contested according to opinion polls that show Vice President Kamala Harris leading by about 2 percentage points in Pennsylvania—a key battleground state.
Both Harris and Trump have been actively campaigning across Pennsylvania as they vie for victory in this crucial state.