Officials not contacted by Trump campaign about announced second rally
Two days before former President Donald Trump is set to greet supporters in Pennsylvania’s capital, Butler-area officials said they have not heard from the Trump campaign about an announced second rally in Butler County.
The first Trump rally in Pennsylvania since the assassination attempt will see the former president in Harrisburg in Dauphin County on Wednesday, July 31. The rally will feature U.S. Senate candidate Dave McCormick, who was also present at the Trump rally in Connoquenessing Township on July 13 when one man was killed and three others, including Trump, were injured by gunfire.
On July 26, Trump took to social media to announce his intentions to return to the Butler area following an attempt on his life at the Butler Farm Show grounds.
“I WILL BE GOING BACK TO BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA, FOR A BIG AND BEAUTIFUL RALLY, HONORING THE SOUL OF OUR BELOVED FIREFIGHTING HERO, COREY, AND THOSE BRAVE PATRIOTS INJURED TWO WEEKS AGO,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “WHAT A DAY IT WILL BE — FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT! STAY TUNED FOR DETAILS.”
A spokesperson for Dave McCormick’s campaign did not reply to a request for comment Monday evening regarding his intentions to join Trump for a second rally in Butler County. The Trump campaign also did not respond to a request for comment on Trump’s announcement.
The event would take place in the wake of the killing of one rally-goer, Buffalo Township resident Corey Comperatore, who was shot by would-be assassin Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, a little more than two weeks ago.
Butler County Sheriff Mike Slupe said his office stands “ready to assist the United States Secret Service if called upon.” He said he has not heard from the Trump campaign about a second rally in Butler County.
In a previous interview, Slupe said six deputies were assigned areas of responsibility within the inner perimeter of the July 13 rally, by metal detectors and the command posts. After the shooting, Slupe said they assisted people in evacuations and clearing nearby buildings.
Butler Township Commissioners President Jim Lokhaiser, Jr. and vice president Sam Zurzolo did not reply to a request for comment Monday evening about Trump making a return to the county. Connoquenessing Township secretary Megan Hineman said the township had not heard from the Trump campaign about a second rally. Neither did the township hear directly from the Trump campaign leading up to July 13 rally.
“I’m still trying to process what occurred here on the thirteenth (of July),” county commissioner Leslie Osche said about the announced second rally. “My biggest concern is making sure our community is ... OK. I think once we understand, you know, the details ... whether or not any county assistance is required, we would respond appropriately.”
Osche said county commissioners have not heard from the Trump campaign about a planned rally.
County resources include the Emergency Services Unit, headed by the district attorney, and the sheriff’s office, which are funded by county commissioners. Any decisions separate from the county’s budgetary support would be the district attorney’s and sheriff’s to make, Osche said.
District Attorney Richard Goldinger did not reply to a request for comment about how the ESU would respond if asked to assist the Secret Service at a future rally, but did indicate that future planning must improve.
“I will say that any preparations, if they do assist, better (include) more communication from the Secret Service and any other law enforcement agencies who are involved,” he stated.
