Trump vows to stage outdoor rallies with extra help from Secret Service

Former president Donald Trump vowed Saturday to stage more outdoor rallies two weeks after surviving an assassination attempt and claimed the Secret Service has agreed to “substantially step up their operation” to protect him.

Trump wrote on Truth Social in a post Saturday morning that the Secret Service, which has been sharply criticized for its handling of security at the Butler, Pa., rally where he was wounded, was “very capable” of providing extra security.

“NO ONE CAN EVER BE ALLOWED TO STOP OR IMPEDE FREE SPEECH OR GATHERING!!!” Trump wrote.

The Secret Service did not confirm or deny that it would provide additional security, citing security concerns, but a law enforcement official, speaking on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media, said it was accurate that the Secret Service will be increasing security for Trump’s outdoor rallies.

The Washington Post had previously reported that the Secret Service has encouraged Trump to stop large outdoor rallies and his campaign was scouting indoor venues.

“Ensuring the safety and security of our protectees is our highest priority,” the Secret Service said in a statement. “In the interest of maintaining operational integrity, we are not able to comment on specifics of our protective means or methods.”

The Secret Service said it had previously increased security in June as the presidential campaign heated up and the candidates were appearing at more events.

Trump was wounded in the ear as he spoke at a large outdoor rally on July 13 when a gunman opened fire from a nearby roof. The shooting left one rallygoer dead and injured two others in the crowd that had gathered to see the Republican presidential nominee. Law enforcement snipers shot and killed 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks.

The FBI said Friday that Trump was injured by a bullet or a bullet fragment fired by the shooter, after lingering questions about whether a bullet or debris caused his injuries.

Trump has not provided medical records about his injuries, but Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Tex.), a Trump ally and former White House physician, released a letter saying he had treated Trump for a two-centimeter wound on his ear that did not require stitches.

Trump’s Saturday post followed another on Truth Social on Friday night in which he promised to return to Butler for a “BIG AND BEAUTIFUL RALLY” that would honor the firefighter, Corey Comperatore, who was killed at the rally and those injured. Trump did not say when the event would occur or if it would be outdoors.

“WHAT A DAY IT WILL BE — FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT!” Trump wrote.

Trump has not appeared at an outdoor rally since the shooting. He is scheduled to appear at a hockey arena in St. Cloud, Minn., Saturday night for a campaign rally.

After intense criticism from lawmakers for not preventing the shooting, Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned this week. Law enforcement has not been able to determine a motive in the shooting.

Cheatle previously said that an internal review of the agency’s handling of the shooting should be available within 60 days and an independent report ordered by President Biden was due in 45 days. The FBI is leading the investigation into the shooting.

The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to questions seeking additional information about the president’s plans for outdoor rallies.