County reacts to date for Trump to return
Security is on the minds of many as former President Donald Trump plans a return to Butler County.
Trump’s campaign confirmed Wednesday, Sept. 25, that he will return Oct. 5 to the Butler Farm Show grounds — the site of his July 13 rally, which was cut short after he was shot just a few minutes into his remarks.
A news release from Trump’s campaign said Trump would honor the memory of Corey Comperatore, a Buffalo Township man who died after being struck by a bullet at the rally while shielding his family from the gunfire.
Trump will also recognize the two other people who were wounded by the shooter, David Dutch and James Copenhaver, the news release said.
Butler County Commissioner Leslie Osche said she confirmed the Trump campaign’s return to Butler County on Wednesday morning, after having a phone conversation with representatives of the Butler Farm Show.
Osche said Trump’s return announcement was not unexpected.
“I honestly am not surprised, because he said he would return,” Osche said.
The safety of the candidate, as well as the public, has become a top concern since the shooting at the July 13 rally. Congress has created a bipartisan task force to investigate the circumstances surrounding the July 13 assassination attempt, and hearings have been conducted with the U.S. Secret Service, FBI and local law enforcement personnel who were working at the farm show grounds that day.
Butler County Sheriff Mike Slupe said his office has not been approached by the Trump campaign or the Secret Service for law enforcement support at the rally, but he had short notice for the July 13 rally as well.
Slupe said cooperation between the agencies involved in providing security for the rally will be key to its safety.
“I believe that the law enforcement agencies that will participate in this event will be better prepared working together,” Slupe said. “The cooperation among the law enforcement agencies who would potentially participate, I would feel comfortable having my family there.”
Ken Laughlin, president of the Butler Farm Show board, said the farm show is only the venue for the rally, which was the case the last time Trump came to the county. According to Laughlin, he and the rest of the farm show’s directors had no involvement with either event, aside from renting the property to the campaign.
Jim Hulings, chairman of the Butler County Republican Committee, said people in the county have been excited for Trump to return. He called Trump brave for returning to the site of an assassination attempt.
“Everybody seems pumped up,” he said. “We never got to hear his speech. I'd say people are pretty enthusiastic.”
County Commissioner Kim Geyer also recognized the emotional impact of the last time Trump visited the county, but said she feels the community is looking forward to hearing from Trump.
“Security, I know, will be heightened and tightened, the necessary resources in place to make sure the public is safe,” Geyer said.
Cindy Hildebrand, chairwoman of the United Republicans of Butler County, said her committee has started a volunteer list for people who would like to help with the preparation for the event. Hildebrand said she and her committee are hoping for safety above all else at the rally.
“We're all praying everything goes well, and we hope and pray that everyone is going to be safe that day,” Hildebrand said. “Safety-wise, politics should not be involved in it.”
Doors will open for the rally at 10 a.m., and Trump is scheduled to speak at 5 p.m., according to the news release from Trump’s campaign.
To register to attend the event, visit donaldjtrump.com.
