Republican candidate and former US president, Donald Trump will hold a rally outdoors in North Carolina on Wednesday, the first open-air campaign event since he narrowly escaped an assassination attempt at an open-air appearance one month ago.
US media citing security and campaign personnel say security measures including the use of bulletproof glass surrounding the Republican nominee’s podium are intensified for the afternoon rally scheduled at an aviation museum in Asheboro, North Carolina.
The Secret Service had suggested Trump stop holding outdoor events after the agency assigned to protect presidents and candidates failed to stop a gunman who fired at him from a rooftop at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, injuring Trump in the ear and leaving one person in the crowd dead.
Trump, who has held a series of indoor rallies since the shooting, has publicly stated he wants a return to open-air events.
Trump had posted on social media that he would continue to hold open-air events, adding that the Secret Service has agreed to substantially step up their operation.
Usually, the Secret Service does not comment publicly on security operations and did not respond to requests for confirmation of the use of bulletproof glass and other ramped up security tactics.
Reports say the protective detail is planning for Trump to speak from behind a special see-through protective glass barrier before thousands of rally attendees in Asheboro.
According to reports, the glass is similar to that used in the presidential limousine, which is also designed to protect occupants from a shooting.
Trump’s rally in Asheboro is a form of counter-programming. It comes on Day 3 of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, where security officials have set up a ring of steel around the gathering that formally names Kamala Harris as the party’s 2024 presidential nominee, after President Joe Biden exited the race.
Security was also airtight at last month’s Republican National Convention, which took place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin just days after the assassination attempt.
Trump is scheduled to take the stage at the North Carolina Aviation Museum & Hall of Fame, along with his running mate Senate J.D. Vance.
The museum has posted photographs of bleachers set up to accommodate thousands of guests, and its Facebook account relays guest instructions from the Trump-Vance campaign stating “this event will be outdoors.”
The southern state of North Carolina is considered one of a handful of swing states that are expected to determine the outcome of the November 5 election.
