Former President Donald Trump vowed on Saturday to do more outdoor rallies following the near miss on his life two weeks ago, adding that the Secret Service will cover him more closely at the campaign events.
“I WILL CONTINUE TO DO OUTDOOR RALLIES, AND SECRET SERVICE HAS AGREED TO SUBSTANTIALLY STEP UP THEIR OPERATION,” Mr. Trump said on Truth Social. “THEY ARE VERY CAPABLE OF DOING SO. NO ONE CAN EVER BE ALLOWED TO STOP OR IMPEDE FREE SPEECH OR GATHERING!!!”
Mr. Trump’s pledge comes after reports that the Secret Service urged the former president to stop holding outdoor rallies in the wake of the shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania.
The Washington Times reached out to the Secret Service for comment.
The agency has come under heavy scrutiny for security failures at the rally since Thomas Crooks’ failed assassination attempt that wounded Mr. Trump and killed rally attendee Corey Comperatore.
Following the shooting, Kimberly Cheatle resigned as head of the Secret Service after she was grilled on Capitol Hill for lapses that lawmakers say let Crooks get close enough to open fire on the former president.
Meanwhile, Mr. Trump on Friday promised to return to Butler and hold another rally.
“I will be going back to Butler, Pennsylvania, for a big and beautiful rally, honoring the soul of our beloved firefighting hero, Corey, and those brave patriots injured two weeks ago,” he said on Truth Social. “What a day it will be — fight, fight, fight! Stay tuned for details.”
• Alex Miller can be reached at amiller@washingtontimes.com.
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