Trump Blames White House For Wisconsin Rally Venue Change

Former President Donald Trump has recently voiced his frustration with the current administration, claiming that the White House played a significant role in shifting his rally in Wisconsin to a smaller venue. During a rally held in Erie, Pennsylvania, Trump asserted that the Biden administration "would not let us have" the anticipated 50,000 attendees at an outdoor rally in Wisconsin the day before. This change in plans has raised questions about security measures and the logistical challenges faced by Trump's campaign.

Originally, Trump was set to hold a larger outdoor rally at an airport in Wisconsin. However, due to the ongoing United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York, the Secret Service lacked sufficient manpower to guarantee safety at the larger venue. The rally was ultimately relocated to an arts center in Prairie du Chien, accommodating only about a thousand attendees.

During his speech, Trump lamented, "We were in Wisconsin yesterday, and except for the fact that the administration would not let us have—we had 50,000, maybe more people, and we were going to do an outdoor rally, and we ended up having to do it inside." He expressed his dissatisfaction with the reasoning provided by security officials, who cited the need to guard the United Nations and Iran as a reason for the change.

In the wake of a recent assassination attempt against him during another rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Trump is reportedly scaling back on large outdoor events. The Secret Service faced criticism for their handling of security, which allowed the assailant, Thomas Matthew Crooks, to gain access to a roof and open fire.

Adding to the controversy, Trump has previously pointed fingers at his political rival, Vice President Kamala Harris, for the venue change in Wisconsin. He took to Truth Social, stating, "Kamala wouldn't allow for protection to take care of this crowd," while sharing an image of his supporters in the crucial swing state. He lamented that instead of hosting 50,000 supporters in an open field, they were forced to use a smaller arena, asserting that "she is not going to stop us, and everyone knows, she doesn't have what it takes!"

The rally in Erie was also held indoors at the Bayfront Convention Center, emphasizing Trump's ongoing reliance on indoor venues amid safety concerns. Historically, Trump has touted the size of his rallies as a measure of his popularity, frequently claiming exaggerated attendance figures.

Trump's campaign has communicated that they have received briefings from intelligence officials regarding credible threats from Iran, including claims of assassination attempts against the former president. During his rally in Erie, Trump criticized President Joe Biden for not addressing these threats, highlighting the Iranian President's presence at the U.N. General Assembly, which coincided with the timing of the rally.

According to an unnamed Secret Service official, the agency was "never configured to provide such an elevated level of protection" during the Wisconsin event. The Secret Service's responsibilities include ensuring the safety of the President, former presidents, vice presidents, and their families, which places significant demands on their resources, especially during high-profile events like the U.N. General Assembly.

In light of these developments, Trump's campaign continues to navigate complex security dynamics while aiming to maintain momentum ahead of the 2024 election.