Meck County GOP Chair, ex-CMPD cop discuss Trump assassination attempt

CHARLOTTE, N.C. ( QUEEN CITY NEWS ) – The assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump’s life on Saturday brings security concerns for campaign rallies on both sides of the political aisle.

Battleground states like North Carolina may see some changes during high-profile visits.

Former Secret Service agent Bobby McDonald said security details typically begin talks with local law enforcement about a week before a presidential visit.

“Hopefully all of those issues that could arise, i.e. could someone get on top of a building with a rifle, or other issues that might arise are to be discussed and mitigated before the actual event takes place,” he said.

Charlotte Attorney Walter Bowers experienced high-level security procedures as a CMPD officer during the Democratic National Convention in 2012.

He said security has changed significantly in the past several years and he anticipates more changes now.

“The type of security that we’re going to see is going to be unprecedented. They’re probably going to be, I would say, a shift in scheduling and outdoor events and things of that nature.”

Leaders with the Mecklenburg County Republican Party said they feel confident in their security measures but will revisit protocols to make sure candidates and speakers are safe.

“While I don’t think we have anything to worry about, I didn’t think I was going to wake up yesterday morning and President Trump would be shot,” said Mecklenburg GOP Vice Chair David Merrill.

Merrill said the organization has a good working relationship with local law enforcement and tends to keep their events much smaller than a presidential candidate rally.

“We tend to have local candidates. We have statewide candidates. It’s rare that we have somebody on the national level at our local events. So, again, I don’t think security is a concern here,” he said. “The most important thing that I want to share is everybody is welcome at our events. whether you agree with us, to disagree with us, we hope you’ll engage in positive dialog and we want to make sure everyone knows there is no room for incitement or threats of violence anywhere in politics or any other area of our lives.”

Queen City News reached out to state and county Democrat party groups. Organization leaders did not respond over the weekend.

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