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MILWAUKEE, WI (WSAU) – Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has requested that the U.S. Secret Service add more security measures to their Milwaukee RNC Convention plan. Republican leaders expect intense protests and demonstrations to occur during the convention.
According to the New York Post, McConnell expressed his concerns to Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle in a letter that said, “I am deeply concerned about reports that the security perimeter around the Republican Convention site in Milwaukee may be creating a likely—and preventable—area of conflict between protestors and Convention attendees and delegates,” and added, “As you know, this year has been a very challenging one for protests in the United States. We must all take seriously that tensions are high and do our best to balance the right to express dissent while keeping convention attendees as safe as possible.”
The outlet notes that officials have expressed concerns about a local park near Fiserv Forum known as Pere Marquette Park, which was made a “First Amendment Zone” by the city for protesters to gather, and attendees would need to walk past the park to enter the building. In a statement to the Washington Post, the Secret Service responded to McConnell’s concern, saying that there have been no credible threats at this time and that moving the “First Amendment Zone” could lead to lawsuits if moved.
“The development of the operational security plan for national special security events, including the 2024 Republican National Convention, is overseen by an executive steering committee made up of Secret Service personnel on the ground, as well as representatives from other federal, state, and local agencies, who have the greatest understanding of the host city and the expected security environment for the event,” the spokesperson told the outlet in a statement.
“The U.S. Secret Service is confident in the security plan being developed and appreciates the continued coordination from all involved partners in Milwaukee as we work together to focus on ensuring the highest level of safety and security for the convention,” the statement continued.
Former President Trump is expected to officially receive the party’s nomination during the convention, as he holds just a 1.2-point lead over President Biden in the Badger State, according to Five-Thirty-Eight’s current polling average. That lead for the former president represents a five-point swing toward Trump since May 2020, when Biden had a 3.9-point lead over Trump.
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