Trump camp complains of 'critical flaw' in RNC convention security in letter to Secret Service

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN: The Trump campaign on Thursday, May 23, fired off a letter to US Secret Service Director Kim Cheatle, demanding she address a "critical flaw" in the security perimeter for this summer's Republican National Convention.

The letter, obtained by ABC News, claims that attendees' safety is at risk as protesters plan to descend on the area.

Convention logistics and security issues

The convention, scheduled for July 15-18 in Milwaukee, includes a perimeter that encompasses a nearby park, Pere Marquette. As it stands, pedestrians would need to traverse Pere Marquette, a city-owned park, to access the convention facilities.

According to a person familiar with the security plan, the park serves as a natural congregation point, raising concerns about attendees' safety if the park is not adequately secured.

The letter follows multiple attempts by GOP congressional lawmakers, including Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Sen. Ron Johnson, and Sen. Rick Scott, to meet with Secret Service and RNC leaders to discuss safety and security at the convention.

These lawmakers are concerned about the safety risks posed by protesters planning to demonstrate during the event.

The crux of the Trump campaign's request is for the Secret Service to create a cushion area—a one-block adjustment—between the RNC facilities and the designated protest areas.

Todd Steggerda, counsel to the Republican National Committee, stated in the letter that the Secret Service has been unresponsive to their concerns and multiple outreach attempts about adjusting the security perimeter.

"To date, the local USSS team has been unresponsive to the RNC's reasonable proposal, as set out in my April 26 letter, to alleviate these safety risks through a very modest alteration of the Perimeter—namely, to expand a small portion of the Security Perimeter approximately one block to the East to encapsulate the Park," Steggerda wrote.

Secret service response

Anthony Guglielmi, a spokesman for the Secret Service, responded to ABC News stating, "Demonstration zones for the convention are designated by the host city, not the Secret Service."

He emphasized that the agency has been in constant talks with Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley, RNC staff members in Milwaukee, and members of the US Senate about the security plan for the convention, adding, "We take security planning for these events extremely seriously."

"Our security perimeters are based on public safety metrics, including protective intelligence, risk, and threat assessments. Our model is designed to ensure the highest level of security while minimizing impacts on the public," Guglielmi said.

"Publicly disclosing security information, as done in this letter, undermines our ability to maintain the integrity of our security plan and keep the convention, attendees, and the public safe," Guglielmi added.

Jeff Fleming, Milwaukee’s director of communications, noted that the city has not identified "any critical flaws" and is coordinating with "multiple agencies" to ensure high-level security plans.

The letter claims that someone within the Secret Service suggested it was "illegal" to adjust the security perimeter.

However, the Trump campaign insists that the agency has the final authority and discretion to make such adjustments.

They argue that the proposed changes would balance security and public safety, allowing attendees, journalists, and community members to move safely while respecting their First Amendment rights, including the right to peaceful protest and assembly within sight and sound of the convention.

The RNC's demand comes amid increased political protests against the war in Gaza spreading across the country, many of which have played out on college campuses and resulted in arrests.

More than 50,000 attendees and additional spectators are expected at the RNC, with thousands of protesters also anticipated. The Trump campaign's urgency reflects the rapidly approaching convention date.

"With less than two months before the Convention and even less time before the USSS finalizes the Plan, it is imperative you take personal and immediate steps to fix this unacceptable flaw in the design of the Security Perimeter," Steggerda wrote in the letter.

Donald Trump and MAGA slammed over letter of concern

Critics inundated social media with reactions following the release of the Trump campaign's letter.

"Maga continues to show they're cowards. For all their tough talk, they're scared to walk by protesters. They want to pretend like no one opposes them," one posted on X.

"The Secret Service is concerned with protection, not with optics. The RNC and the Trump camp care about nothing but preventing any protests to be within range of broadcast cameras," another wrote.

"We are paying for the extra security. If Trump is convicted in his criminal trial, we shouldn't have to continue paying for his protection," a comment read.

"Let his people carry their guns! They’re all good guys with guns, they say," someone else quipped.

"The only people we have to worry about are MAGA TRASH DOMESTIC TERRORISTS," another fumed.

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