The Secret Service has urged the Trump campaign to switch to indoor venues, a move following an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania rally. Trump was shot in the ear by Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old who fired from a rooftop in Butler.
According to three sources who spoke to the Washington Post, the Secret Service has cautioned the campaign against outdoor events with large crowds, citing concerns over public safety. Instead, the campaign is opting for indoor venues such as basketball arenas that can accommodate thousands of attendees.
A campaign official explained that indoor events are safer since they allow for more control over access to the venue. “It’s easier to control who comes through a finite number of doors,” the official said, adding that indoor events also have limited capacity.
While the campaign acknowledges the increased costs of hosting indoor events, which can limit their ability to host large crowds, the official emphasized the improved safety aspect. “There are fewer line-of-sight issues… and it doesn’t pack the same punch,” the official noted.
The recommendation comes as the U.S. Secret Service faces criticism for the security lapses that occurred during the Trump rally. On Monday, former Director Kimberly Cheatle faced intense questioning from lawmakers during a House Oversight and Accountability Committee hearing. Cheatle, who has since resigned, cited “safety factor” as the reason for not placing agents on the roof where Crooks was located. The agency was also criticized for allegedly being unaware of the suspicious behavior of the attacker beforehand.
