Republican National Committee (RNC) Chair Michael Whatley said Sunday that the RNC is “very comfortable” with the security situation for this week’s Republican convention following the assassination attempt on former President Trump at a Saturday rally.
Whatley, in an interview with “Fox News Sunday,” said the RNC is working with various law enforcement agencies to prepare for the Republican National Convention, which will kick off Monday in Milwaukee.
When asked how the shooting at Trump’s rally will impact the convention plans, Whaltey said, “In terms of the physical sense of the arena set, the security is here, and we feel very comfortable that we’re working with the Secret Service; we’re working with 40 different law enforcement agencies in terms of what that security is going to look like.”
“And this is going to be a facility, where we’re going to be able to have 50,000 delegates and alternates and guests and members of the media, who are going to be here and… who are going to be safe,” Whatley continued. “That’s very critical for us. Look our business is critically important for the process, right?”
Shots were fired Saturday night at Trump’s rally in Butler, Pa.; the former president said a bullet pierced his ear. The shooter, identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks by the FBI, and one spectator at the rally were killed. Two other attendees were critically injured, according to the U.S. Secret Service.
Kevin Rojek, special agent in charge of the FBI field office in Pittsburgh, said authorities have not yet identified a motive for the shooting.
Top Trump aides confirmed the former president still plans to attend the Republican convention.
In a statement Sunday, Trump called on Americans to unite and said he is looking forward to “speaking to our Great Nation this week from Wisconsin.”
Whatley said he predicts a change in mood for the convention, though the plans for the week remain largely unchanged. He later urged unity in the wake of the shooting, calling politics “secondary.”
“I think unity is obviously very important. I think strength is obviously very important, but right now, this morning, I think politics is secondary,” Whaltey said. “I think right now we need to be praying for these families that have been affected, I think we need to be grateful that President Trump is alive and is actually going to be there.”