(NewsNation) — Two weeks after his near assassination, former President Donald Trump has reversed course and says he will hold rallies at outdoor venues.
“I WILL CONTINUE TO DO OUTDOOR RALLIES, AND SECRET SERVICE HAS AGREED TO SUBSTANTIALLY STEP UP THEIR OPERATION,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform Saturday.
“THEY ARE VERY CAPABLE OF DOING SO. NO ONE CAN EVER BE ALLOWED TO STOP OR IMPEDE FREE SPEECH OR GATHERING!!!,” he added.
Earlier this week the Secret Service reportedly asked the Trump campaign to stop holding large outdoor rallies like the one in Butler, Pa. where a would-be assassin narrowly missed the candidate, but killed a spectator and wounded two others.
On Tuesday, The Washington Post reported that the Trump campaign was scouting indoor venues big enough for thousands of supporters and that it was not planning any large outdoor events.
In an email to The Hill, Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi declined to comment on specific actions to protect Trump but said making sure of “the safety and security of our protectees is our highest priority.”
On Saturday, Trump spoke for more than one hour at a rally inside the more-than 5,000 seat Herb Brooks Arena in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Hours before Trump’s arrival, supporters could easily spot the higher level of security.
“I think it’s good for the safety of the president and the safety of the individuals here,” rallygoer Sayneb Dahir told NewsNation. “You never know. You can have some outcast or someone trying to dissuade the party and shun our voices.”
The Secret Service has come under fiery bipartisan criticism over its handling of the rally where a shooter fired on Trump. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned on Tuesday.
The Hill contributed to this report.
