Former NC sheriff and an NC State political expert discuss aspects of assassination attempt at Trump rally

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Experts continue to weigh in on the failed assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally Saturday in Pennsylvania.

Former Wake County Sheriff Donnie Harrison told CBS 17 that he wants to know what chain of events happened that allowed a gunman to get so close to Trump.

“What really bothered me, was, I heard on the news that some people were hollering at police officers, ‘Look! There’s a man up there who’s got a gun.’ Why didn’t somebody react quicker,” Harrison said.

Harrison told CBS 17 that even though he doesn’t know what exactly happened Saturday, his opinion comes with 57 years of experience, during many of which he’s worked security details.

North Carolina State University political scientist Steven Greene told CBS 17 that while he doesn’t ultimately see the shooting having a huge impact on the election, it still worries him about the future of the country.

“I think it’s really possible to imagine a political future, where things just get worse,” Greene said.

In the hours since Saturday’s events, many users on social media began speculating what effect this could have on the polls. Greene, who studies American elections and public opinion, said he’s skeptical that someone who did not support Trump before Saturday now suddenly changing course.

“To be clear, the best evidence is that Donald Trump was already in a winning position, having the upper hand based on the polls, as far as we can tell,” Greene said.

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