Why is Donald Trump surrounded by glass in his campaign meetings?
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has spoken at an outdoor rally for the first time since the assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Donald Trump has gone back to holding his campaign rallies outdoors five weeks after the assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania with one noteworthy detail.
The Secret Service made arrangements for Trump’s podium to be surrounded with bulletproof glass as he spoke to a few thousand supporters in Asheboro, North Carolina.
The security detail usually reserves this practice for incumbent presidents, but after a 20-year-old would-be assassin opened fire during a Trump rally on July 13, an exception was made. The shooter grazed the former president’s ear and killed one man in the crowd.
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Trump prefers campaigning outdoors
The Secret Service had advised the Trump camp to avoid holding outdoor rallies following the shooting, and all campaign events since then have been held indoors.
However, the 78-year-old had expressed his preference for holding rallies outdoors, because more people can attend the event.
The Secret Service has prepared multiple sets of the ballistic glass to be stored throughout the country so that it can easily be transported when the need arises.
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Heightened security at Trump rallies
Aside from the bulletproof glass placed in front of and behind Trump, security was beefed up by putting barriers that would block the view of potential sharpshooters outside the immediate perimeter of the rally.
Additional security measures included multiple snipers deployed on rooftops, counter-sniper teams, and the use of drones.
The ballistic glass will continue to be used to protect Trump for the rest of the campaign season. Additional protection measures are also being implemented for Vice President Kamala Harris, second gentleman Doug Emhoff, and vice presidential candidates J.D. Vance and Tim Walz.