Trump visiting Grand Rapids one week after assassination attempt

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Former President Donald Trump will visit Grand Rapids today for a campaign rally, his first since an attempt on his life one week ago.

Supporters started lining up outside Van Andel Arena downtown Friday afternoon. Doors open at 1 p.m. Saturday, and the main event is expected at 5 p.m. The rally will stream live on woodtv.com .

This will also be Trump’s first after the Republican National Convention and Trump’s selection of a running mate in U.S. Sen. JD Vance of Ohio. Vance will join Trump in Grand Rapids. The two are expected to touch on inflation, the border and crime.

Following the shooting in Pennsylvania that injured Trump and killed a rallygoer, officials have been largely mum on security plans in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids police said they are “working closely” with federal partners, but provided no specifics and declined on-camera interviews.

The U.S. Secret Service said in a statement released to News 8 that it “adds additional resources for all campaign cycles” and that there have been changes to Trump’s security detail since the shooting. In a follow-up statement, it refused to provide any specifics about Saturday’s plans, saying it “does not discuss the means and methods used for our protective operations.”

“The U.S. Secret Service adds additional resources for all campaign cycles including manpower and a variety of protective technology. This addition of resources happens for all election cycles and is part of our candidate nominee operations section and additional resources were allocated to Former President Trump’s protective detail in June. In addition, we have implemented changes to his security detail since July 13 to ensure his continued protection throughout the remainder of the campaign.”

U.S. Secret Service

Former Secret Service Agent and founder/president of Secure Environment Consultants in Grand Rapids Jason Russell told News 8 to expect “unprecedented” security.

“You’ll see a significant presence because obviously it is going to be a big crowd. This is the first visit after he gets officially nominated, so you’re going to see a massive group of people coming to see this and so the security will be unlike anything probably we have seen in Grand Rapids in a long time,” Russell said.

He added that more of Trump’s rallies going forward may be indoors, rather than outdoors like the one in Pennsylvania, because a closed venue is easier to secure.

There is some construction downtown that visitors should be aware of, particularly the closure of the intersection of S. Division Avenue and Fulton Street not far from the arena. In addition, stretches of Fulton Street, Ottawa Avenue, Oakes Street and Weston street will be closed near the arena. There will be other “short-term, rolling” closures before and after the event, police said.

Drivers should plan ahead to be aware of detours and find parking. Most city ramps and lots will be open, except for Parking Area 2 behind the arena. Street parking around the arena will also be blocked off.

EYE ON MICHIGAN

With Michigan considered a swing state as the November general election looms, the state is expected to see increasing attention from both candidates. President Joe Biden was on the southeast side of the state last week and Vice President Kamala Harris was in metro Kalamazoo a few days ago.

Biden won Michigan in 2020, but Trump won it in 2016. Polls show a tight race this time around. A late June poll conducted by EPIC-MRA before the two met for a debate showed Trump with a 4-point lead over Biden in Michigan. The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 4%. An Emerson College poll conducted after last week’s assassination attempt showed Trump leading Biden by 3 points in Michigan; this one has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.1%.

Trump on Thursday formally accepted his party’s nomination in a speech at the RNC , describing the assassination attempt that injured his ear and calling for “the discord and division in our society” to be “healed.” He went on to reiterate longstanding platform issues like a crackdown on illegal immigration, trade tariffs and an “America first” foreign policy, the Associated Press reports. He also repeated his unsubstantiated claims that his loss in the 2020 election was the result of fraud.

Biden, meanwhile, is facing dissent from within his own party, with an increasing number of Democratic lawmakers ( including U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten of Grand Rapids) suggesting he should step aside. He has so far rejected such calls and promised to be back on the campaign trail next week , though he has been isolating after being diagnosed with COVID-19 this week.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.