Former President Donald Trump said Sunday that despite the assassination attempt against him on Saturday, he will continue with the Republican National Convention this week “as scheduled.”
Trump released a statement Sunday making clear he would not let the shooter delay the convention, where he is expected to be formally named the Republican party’s nominee for president.
“Based on yesterday’s terrible events, I was going to delay my trip to Wisconsin, and The Republican National Convention, by two days, but have just decided that I cannot allow a ‘shooter,’ or potential assassin, to force change to scheduling, or anything else,” Trump said. “Therefore, I will be leaving for Milwaukee, as scheduled, at 3:30 P.M. TODAY. Thank you!”
Going into the weekend, Trump was set to establish his hold on the Republican Party at the convention, but the assassination attempt on Saturday raised a flurry of concerns and questions about what security will now look like.
Despite the shooting, the Republican gathering to formally name the nominee will be held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as planned, albeit with added security.
Trump is all but certain to receive the nomination, and he is expected to name his vice presidential pick as well.
The convention is the premiere event in Republican politics, with the biggest names and most influential groups in the party expected to attend.
Several leading elected Republicans, conservative groups, grassroots leaders and more will attend hoping to rally behind Trump and defeat Democrats in the House, Senate and White House.
Just as important, though, are the roughly 2,400 delegates who will come together and are expected to solidify Trump as the party’s nominee for the presidential ticket.
Trump has already won the needed delegates by largely sweeping the primary states.
The four-day event runs Monday through Thursday and will be held in Fiserv Forum arena, although party-related events have already begun around the venue and will continue all week.
