Republican National Convention security zone, perimeter, map: what we know about potential changes
Former President Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt during a rally in Pennsylvania Saturday evening, just days before the start of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
The brazen act of political violence — which killed one spectator and critically injured two others in the rally crowd — has raised new questions about security for the convention.
Here is what we know and what we do not know about any changes to security at the RNC.
Will there be changes to the RNC security zone, perimeter?
So far, no specific changes to the security zone have been announced.
However, on Monday, Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle said the agency had "strengthened" its security plan for the RNC.
“I am confident in the security plan our Secret Service RNC coordinator and our partners have put in place, which we have reviewed and strengthened in the wake of Saturday’s shooting,” Cheatle said in a statement.
“In addition to the additional security enhancements we provided former President Trump's detail in June, we have also implemented changes to his security detail since Saturday to ensure his continued protection for the convention and the remainder of the campaign.”
Audrey Gibson-Cicchino, RNC coordinator for the U.S. Secret Service, previously said during a Sunday news conference that the agency was “not anticipating any changes to our operational security plans" and "we're ready to go."
In brief remarks from the White House Sunday afternoon, President Joe Biden emphasized all security measures will be reviewed.
"I've directed the head of the Secret Service to review all security measures - all security measures - for the Republican National Convention, which is scheduled to start tomorrow," Biden said.
LIVE UPDATES: Trump will appear at the convention on Monday, coverage from Sunday's developments
Will the RNC still start Monday?
Yes.
The RNC starts on Monday and continues through Thursday.
Welcome parties and other events in Milwaukee are taking place over the weekend. As of Sunday afternoon, no major changes to the schedule had been announced.
Who is in charge of security at the RNC?
In general, the U.S. Secret Service and other federal authorities will be leading the response for security within the hard perimeter, which encompasses the main RNC venues downtown and requires credentials to enter.
Local authorities will be responsible for law enforcement outside that area in the broader security footprint.
Are police preparing for new security threats after the Trump assassination attempt?
Federal and local law enforcement officials said Sunday that they were not aware of any new threats targeting the RNC.
Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman said he wanted to reassure RNC attendees as well as members of the community that local and federal law enforcement officials were prepared.
“We got this,” Norman said. “We got this.”
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson and others stressed the planning and preparation that had already gone into the existing plan.
“A national special security event is the highest designation that you can get for a security event of its size and magnitude in the United States,” Johnson said. “We have that designation."
Are guns allowed inside the 'hard' RNC convention perimeter?
No.
Guns will not be allowed in the hard perimeter, which includes buildings like Fiserv Forum hosting convention events and the immediate area around them, according to a U.S. Secret Service spokesperson.
Working law enforcement officers are permitted to have firearms inside that hard zone, the spokesperson said.
Are guns allowed in the RNC 'soft' zone and larger security 'footprint' where demonstrations will take place?
Yes.
State law prevents the city from banning most firearms, including within the security "footprint" that will surround a credentials-only "hard" zone.
Demonstrations at two locations plus a march route are planned within the broader security footprint each day of the four-day convention.
In addition, the Hank Aaron Trail will be closed between North 76th and North 89th Streets in Milwaukee from Monday through Saturday to accommodate security operations associated with the RNC, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Will there be any changes for events at the RNC convention?
At a news conference Sunday, Republican Party of Wisconsin Chairman Brian Schimming said that "there are no major changes whatsoever at this point to the schedule for the convention that will be held here this week."
Asked if he was concerned about security for the convention, Schimming said no.
“We have been working for months with the Secret Service, the city, the county, and of course dozens of law enforcement agencies all over Milwaukee,” he said. “I feel very, very confident in the security situation here in Milwaukee. I have passed that on to my delegation and to delegations and other state chairs.”
Is Donald Trump still planning to come to Milwaukee for the RNC?
Yes.
Trump arrived in Milwaukee around 6 p.m. Sunday.
When is Trump expected to speak at the RNC?
Trump is scheduled to formally accept the nomination and speak at the RNC on Thursday at Fiserv Forum in downtown Milwaukee.
Will RNC protests go on as planned?
The Coalition to March on the RNC 2024 is continuing its plans for a march on Monday.
"The Coalition to March on the RNC reaffirms our commitment to a family-friendly march along the route we have agreed on with the city," the group said in a statement late Saturday.
Mary Spicuzza and Alison Dirr can be reached at [email protected] and [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: RNC 2024 in Milwaukee security zone, perimeter, map: what we know
