Secret Service sets up ‘Fortress Trump’ with snipers on rooftops as Republican returns to scene of assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania

The US Secret Service established a ring of steel around Donald Trump as he returned to the scene of a failed assassination attempt 12 weeks ago.

As thousands of supporters stormed the grounds of the Butler Farm Show in Pennsylvania, snipers sat atop cargo containers and officers, along with mounted police, swarmed the area, turning it into a security fortress.

On July 13, gunman Thomas Crooks fired a hail of bullets from the roof of a nearby glass company warehouse that had been disastrously left unattended, hitting Trump in the ear.

For Trump’s return, a sniper was positioned on the roof of the warehouse many hours before his arrival and the roads leading to the building were closed by local police. This time it will be within the security perimeter of the event.

On the stage, a bulletproof screen was set up around the front and on either side of the lectern where Trump would speak.

A row of freight containers was also placed on a grassy area between the stage and the warehouse, also blocking other buildings with potential sightlines to the stage, including a water tower.

Placed in the bleachers behind the stage was the firefighter uniform of Corey Comperatore, who was killed in the attack.

A memorial for Corey Comperatore, a retired volunteer fire chief who was shot and killed in the July assassination attempt on Republican presidential candidate and former US President Donald Trump, on the day of Trump’s return in Butler, Pennsylvania, US, October 5, 2024

The large-scale security operation is planned for two weeks and will include counter-sniper teams, counter-attack teams and technology to deter drones.

US Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said: “Since the attempted assassination of former President Trump on July 13, the US Secret Service has made extensive changes and improvements to our communications capabilities, assets and protective operations.

“Today, the former president receives increased protection and we take the responsibility to ensure his safety and security very seriously.”

TSA agents operated metal detectors at the entrance and agents from the Department of Homeland Security Investigations were inside and outside the venue.

Don Deazley carries a cross as he prays with Sue Hensal and others as they wait in line for a rally of Republican presidential candidate, former U.S. President Donald Trump, at the Butler Farm Show Inc. on October 5, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania

The sun rises behind the stage ahead of a campaign rally for Republican presidential candidate, former US President Donald Trump, at the Butler Farm Show Inc. on October 5, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania

It happened amid continued Iranian threats against Trump.

The Justice Department said it is “intensively monitoring Iranian attempts to conduct lethal plots targeting former and current U.S. government officials, including the former president.”

Local Republican Congressman Mike Kelly said, “We started from scratch, including the perimeter. It will be far outside, with the AGR building (the warehouse where Crooks shot from) within that protected area.

‘The water tower is protected. We kind of have a shield around the outside that will protect that area and the people that are there.

‘The AGR site is completely cordoned off, no one is allowed there. We make sure it’s safe.’

Last week, Trump said, “I truly believe this will be the safest place on earth.”

But the assassination attempt, in which his ear was grazed by a bullet, has reshaped the way he campaigns.

participants wait in line prior to a rally of Republican presidential candidate, former US President Donald Trump, at the Butler Farm Show Inc. on October 5, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania. Trump holds a rally in Butler at the site of his first assassination attempt

A Halloween decoration stands next to a flag in support of Republican presidential candidate, former US President Donald Trump, on the day Trump returns to the site of the July assassination attempt on him, in Butler, Pennsylvania, US, October 5, 202

There have been death threats against his aides, and his team has been unable to quickly organize the mass rallies that have always characterized his campaigns.

Events have been canceled and rescheduled because the Secret Service did not have the resources to secure them safely.

Even with the use of glass barricades to protect Trump on stage, there are concerns about holding additional gatherings outdoors due to fears of drones.

Trump campaign adviser Chris LaCivita said, “If there’s one group of people that can handle something like this in their lap, it’s the team that Donald Trump has put together to run this campaign, just based on everything that we’ve had to deal with. whether it’s lawsuits to keep him off the ballot, indictments, assassination attempts.”