Trump Assassination Attempt Raises Questions: How Safe Are Political Rallies?
Would you feel safe attending a political rally?
What's the story?
- An assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump over the weekend has sparked a nationwide conversation about the safety of political rallies in an increasingly-polarized America.
- Trump, who was attending a campaign event in Butler, Pennsylvania, was grazed by a bullet near his right ear when a gunman opened fire from an elevated position outside the venue.
- The suspect, identified by the FBI as Thomas Matthew Crooks, was killed by security forces at the scene. The attack also resulted in one fatality among the attendees and left two others critically injured.
Not Since '81
- This incident is the most serious threat to a prominent political figure since the attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan in 1981. Reagan was shot and seriously wounded by John Hinckley Jr. outside a Washington, D.C., hotel. The attack resulted in increased security measures for presidents and major political figures.
- Despite these measures, the attempt on Trump's life underscores the persistent risks associated with political rallies. The FBI has stated that the Secret Service needs to address how the shooter managed to get so close to the site of the speech and discharge eight shots.
"Political Violence Somewhat Justified..."
- The attack on Trump comes amid heightened political tensions and a deeply divided electorate. A recent survey by the Pew Research Center found that
a significant portion of Americans believe political violence is at least somewhat justified in certain situations, a troubling trend that reflects the current state of political discourse.
- The survey; conducted in July 2023; found widespread dissatisfaction with the state of American politics, with 63% expressing little or no confidence in the political system's future.
- A 2023 report from the University of Chicago’s Project on Security and Threats (CPOST) was equally troubling, detailing that a notable percentage of Americans believe that taking violent action against the government can be justified. This reflects the growing acceptance of political violence as a reaction to perceived political failures.
What security measures are currently in place?
Safety measures at U.S. political rallies have been significantly enhanced in response to rising concerns about political violence and extremism. Here are some key measures being implemented:
-
Threat Assessments: Thorough risk assessments are conducted to identify potential security threats. This includes gathering intelligence from various sources and prioritizing risks to allocate resources effectively.
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Access Control: Effective measures such as ticketing with unique barcodes or QR codes, and RFID wristbands for high-profile events, help prevent unauthorized entries. This is crucial in managing and monitoring the crowd.
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Use of Technology: Surveillance cameras, drones for aerial monitoring, and facial recognition technology are utilized to enhance security at rallies. These technologies enable real-time monitoring and quick identification of potential threats.
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Communication Systems: Modern communication tools - including digital radios and encrypted channels - helps in coordinating swift responses to any emerging threats.
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Collaboration with Law Enforcement: Close collaboration with local police, fire departments, and emergency medical services is essential. This coordination helps manage large crowds, ensure traffic control, and respond to emergencies effectively.
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Firearms Regulations: There are recommendations to prohibit or regulate the open carry of firearms in public spaces, especially in locations essential to political participation, such as polling places and legislative buildings. This is aimed at reducing the risk of armed insurrection and ensuring public safety.
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Denouncement of Violence: Elected officials and policymakers are encouraged to openly denounce violence and other intimidation tactics. This helps to discourage extremist actions and promote a peaceful political environment.
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Monitoring Extremist Activities: The FBI and other agencies are vigilant in monitoring and addressing potential threats from extremist groups. This includes the possibility of violence and intimidation at polling places and against election workers.
What's next?
- The Republican National Convention opened today in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with attendees urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.
- The debate over how to best protect political rallies while preserving democratic engagement is likely to intensify.
Do you feel safe attending political rallies? What measures do you think should be in place to protect attendees? Share your thoughts and experiences with us.
-JAH
This is an ongoing story and will be updated.
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Safety & Security
Ever since a bad experience at a fireworks display on the 4th where a gang of guys harassed us throwing fireworks at our feet without a cop in sight to help I've avoided crowds.
Only quick thinking on the part of one person in our group scared them off by turning to photograph them. They flipped their shirts up to cover their faces and ran.
Ivremember saying that photograph won't turn out as it's dark outside and being told that the camera was out of film (yes, it was in the days before smart phones).
Since then I've avoided crowds as they are dangerous if anything happens. And since those days it's become even more dangerous with open carry guns. Now you can even buy your ammo at the Supermarket.
People with a short fuse have few barriers to taking action on their anger. And with forced births there will be even more people growing up in less than ideal situations that often lead to anger management problems.
Sorry @Causes for this first comment, but....
and you too, @bart ...
WHERE THE F HAVE YOU BEEN! You have a lot, lot, lot, lot, (and about a 100 more of those lots), of needing to concentrate on THIS PROJECT if you wish to allow US (We the People) to participate in our Government with Your Previously Current Subjective Topics that we used back then to Contact our Reps.! To restore ANY RESPECT, show us you're here daily, or are we NOW just an advertising gimmick!
trump sure does bring out the crazy in crazy people. His constand fear mongering, racist dogwhistles, and calls for violence resulted in a crazy guy to shoot at him. should we be surprized? I was not.
trump will milk this for as much as he can, and paint himself as a hero. For the record, he was not shot, just some glass hit his ear. Hes no hero. Hes no tough guy. hes a pampered billionair. why his base thinks they share anything in common with him is beyond me.
As our politics contue to ignore the accual needs of the people, and attemp to demonize people they '' other '' as scapegoats, there will be more violence. the more rights they stripp away, the more violent the people should become towards politicians. Death to tyrants, as they used to say.
It is safe, and they are not aiming at me. Stay away from the front .
There are simply too many guns. It is too easy to get a deadly weapon. Too many people are far too angry. More people are killed by guns in the USA than in any other developed nation.
THAT'S WHY SOMEONE ATTEMPTED TO ASSASSINATE TRUMP.
This is a dumb question about feelings when the question is do you want freedom or oppression? Are you ok with destroying half the population of America or not? Democracy or dictatorship? Since when has a dictator been a dictator only one day?
Probably as safe as I'd feel at a concert or walking around the mall.
But I'm a Democrat; we don't attend political ralllies.
People aren't afraid of political rallies, they're afraid of Trump
Secret Service apparently can't do their job
I don't feel safe living in a country where Trump is a possibility.
Someone healed fast.
Donald Trump is the provocateur of mayhem and violence, his rallies have often been associated with violence as well as his attack on the capital in Washington DC. Let's move on from this complete idiot and make America a better place to live is absolutely no surprise what happened at his rally because of his actions in the pasthis stoking violence. From his, we're going to go down to the And fight like hell to his proud boys, standby comment.
Unbelievable !
A Republican Party, not safe! Democratic Party more safe! The Ten Commandments in the Christian state that teach the Ten Commandments are voting for Trump? The most evil man on earth or at least next to Putin!
So you thought there wouldn't be assassination sneakers?
Then you would be wrong. Never miss a chance to grift!
https://youtu.be/ACJoJzfZB6g?si=1uIVE_gLqFSaA2z-
"Ear bandages are trending at the Republican National Convention"
this perfectly demonstrates the depths of just how big of an complete idiot you have be to support trump. Unbelievably sad.
Guns are taking away our freedom of movement. There never has been any good reason for legalizing weapons of war, but the republicans have always supported killing machines and continue to fight any legislation to remove them and to require more stringent rules when buying any gun. The party of "life" is responsible for killing children with guns.
It sure seems like the shooter had an intention of attacking either presidential candidate.
https://abcnews.go.com/US/fbi-assassination-attempt-trump-motive-investigation-phone-suspect/story?id=112057259
Again, still no indication he was a "Democrat".
I feel the secret service failed America that day they knew and citzen should of been able to protect Donald Trump since usss failed to do so.
It is a rare place that any one can feel safe these days.
I vote by issue, not candidate, so I don't attend political rallies in order to make it clear that I don't support a particular person. I attend protest marches instead.
I remember what happen after the death of George Floyd Trump supporters disguised as allies of Black lives Maters caused alot of violence to peaceful protesters like myself
The very weapon that was used was up for debate in PA as to whether or not it should be banned.
Reps Mike Kelly, Michelle Brooks, Elder Vogel and Marla Gallo Brown all fought tooth and nail so that it would not be banned. A republican shot at him, so these three reps should all have to face charges.
As far as my own personal feelings about this supposed attempt(seems pretty staged and fake to me....the guy was a conservative GOP member...so I think he died a martry to his cause of getting Trump some popularity) I am simply going to say 'Thoughts and Prayers'. That's what the GOP says when it's an elementary school shotting, after all, .....maybe someone should follow Trump around like MTG did David Hogg and start asking him what it all an act?
Funny how the GIOP and Fox News is all screaming about this, but are silent when children are shot.
Things that make you go "hmmmmm"
My understanding is that Trump was not grazed by a bullet (which, if fired from an AK-47 would have done significantly more damage) but by a flying piece of glass caused by a bullet.
The entire event looked staged.
I don't feel safe at political rallies because of violent rhetoric from far-right White supremacist sympathizers, not because of a possibly fake assassination attempt.
Yes, I would not feel safe at a rally but....where is one "safe" here in America anymore? People have been shot at concerts, block parties, churches, synagogues and at their local grocery stores.