Security was an RNC priority even before Trump assassination attempt, NC Republicans say

At the Republican National Convention, it’s nearly impossible for a North Carolina delegate or alternate to go anywhere without being reminded of the near-assassination of former President Donald Trump.

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley told the North Carolina delegates Monday morning that 50,000 people are attending the convention, making it the largest ever held.

There are several layers of security perimeters around the convention site, a large police presence, and precautions for allowing cars anywhere near the facilities; it took anywhere from two to four hours to reach parking garages Monday afternoon.

And then there’s Trump, himself. He made his first public appearance at the convention Monday night, greeted by cheers, chants and encouragement from the Republicans around him.

But it was impossible not to notice the bandage on his ear, covering his wound from being shot just three days earlier while giving a speech in Butler, Pennsylvania.

And the bandage served as a stark reminder that if Trump had just moved his head slightly, the shots would have killed him.

“We were sickened,” said Jason Simmons, North Carolina’s Republican Party chairman. “You’re scared and you’re afraid to see what happened.”

Simmons was gathered with several members of North Carolina’s delegation at their convention hotel when they learned Trump had been shot. They watched the television coverage together in horror.

He said they were grateful to see Trump get up, but their hearts break for the family of 50-year-old Corey Comperatore, who was killed, and the two others who were seriously injured.

“We’re grateful that President Trump is safe, and that he’ll be with us, and then we’ll be able to celebrate and to be able to put forward again, as we just did, on the floor our nomination for Donald J. Trump to be the next President of the United States,” Simmons said.

NC GOP leader

As the state’s party leader, Simmons not only attends dozens of rallies across the state and country, but he also takes part in putting them together.

He said he’s always grateful for the local and federal law enforcement officials who work during these events.

“And you’ve never given a thought about your own safety, because you’ve got such a (police) presence there,” Simmons said. “We take that for granted. And so I think this opportunity gave us pause.”

Simmons said he’s looking to find out what the investigation uncovers about weaknesses and failures, and to make sure safety and security is at the forefront of future events.

On Monday, Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina was one of nine senators requesting that the Senate Judiciary Committee hold a hearing on what led to the near-assassination. The committee oversees the Secret Service, Homeland Security and FBI.

An elected official from NC

State Rep. Jarrod Lowery of Lumberton is in Milwaukee for the convention this week.

He initially joked that he isn’t worried about his own safety because he’s from Robeson County, but then he got serious.

“I have thought about it,” Lowery said. “It’s one of those thoughts you have from time to time.”

He said he tries to represent all his constituents equally regardless of their political beliefs, and he intentionally gets into difficult conversations so he can understand the needs of his constituents.

“You know, (Rep.) Steve Scalise got shot,” Lowery said. “Trump got shot. Could I be somewhere and I’m talking to somebody and they’re upset about something else and find out I’m an elected official, and it could be someone from either side, and they want to commit some kind of harm. I mean, that could happen.”

He feels safer in his community, but when he’s traveling, or in the state capital for work, “it’s a whole different world.”

“I think I’m fine,” Lowery said. “But you just never know.”

RNC security

A.J. Daoud, a delegate from Surry County and a sergeant at arms at RNC, offered his perspective on the convention’s security as a former law enforcement officer.

Daoud said some of North Carolina’s delegates were fearful about coming.

“They were fearful about the protesters,” Daoud said. “They were fearful about some of the things that were going on.

But Daoud said he knew security “was going to be tighter, just because of the mood of the way the political world has been these days.”

As “we started telling them the layout of security — and Jason Simmons was really good at explaining to some of the freshman delegates how well the security was — I think a lot of the fears dissipated with a lot of people.”

He said now the delegates are seeing that security in person.

“It’s really incredible,” Daoud said. “The security is much, much tighter, but I knew it would be.”

But Daoud said that isn’t because of Trump’s shooting.

“Don’t forget it’s an 18-month process, to set all this up, so from my law enforcement experience, you can’t take an incident that just occurred a couple of days ago and then beef up your security,” Daoud said. “Proper security involves planning, scouting and stuff like that.”

Daoud said he fully anticipates the same level of security in August when the Democrats hold their national convention in Chicago.

“I think it’s just the times we live in,” Daoud said. “Tension is higher and social media inflames people quicker.”

This story was originally published July 16, 2024 at 2:22 PM with the headline "Security was an RNC priority even before Trump assassination attempt, NC Republicans say."

Danielle Battaglia

McClatchy DC

Danielle Battaglia is the D.C. correspondent for The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer, leading coverage of North Carolina’s congressional delegation and elections. She also covers the White House. Her career has spanned three North Carolina newsrooms where she has covered crime, courts and local, state and national politics. She has won two McClatchy President’s awards and numerous national and state awards for her work.