PORTLAND, Ore. — Thousands have arrived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for the Republican National Convention (RNC), including former President Donald Trump. Trump touched down on Sunday, his communications staff posting a video to social media of the former president pumping his fist in the air.
The RNC begins just two days after a gunman attempted to assassinate the former president during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
"Everybody is really happy and thankful to God that his life was spared, and it wasn't taken from us," said Gabriel Buehler, a first-time delegate and the Chair of the Washington County Republican Party. "We all know he has more to do to help this country."
Buehler blames hateful rhetoric and the media for this violence, adding that it was "inevitable that somebody was going to be radicalized."
The U.S. Secret Service held a news conference on Sunday to address safety concerns.
"We will continue to assess the security environment and adapt our security measures as appropriate," said Audrey Gibson-Cicchino, the Secret Service's 2024 Republican National Convention coordinator.
Gibson-Cicchino said she's confident in the security plan they have in place.
"There's a [security] presence here, everywhere," Buehler said. "So, I feel very safe."
Trump took to social media to say he considered delaying his trip to Milwaukee, but he has "decided that I cannot allow a 'shooter,' or potential assassin, to force change to scheduling, or anything else."
Buehler said as the convention begins, the party feels unified and going forward there's an opportunity for everyone to come together.
"I don’t want to see this fighting, this hate," he said. "It's about all of us. It's not just about what side you're on and that's the problem that's going on right now."