Trump Presses On with Campaign Despite Assassination Attempt

 Donald Trump convened with his senior advisers at his Bedminster club in New Jersey, just a day after surviving what federal investigators are calling an assassination attempt. They were preparing for the Republican National Convention, set to begin on Monday.

On Sunday, July 14, 2024, in Bethel Park, PA, law enforcement blocked a street identified as the residence of Thomas Matthew Crooks, the suspected shooter of former President Donald Trump. Crooks, armed with an AR-style semi-automatic rifle, fired multiple rounds at Trump about ten minutes into his campaign rally in Pennsylvania. Secret Service counter-snipers shot Crooks dead at the scene.

Despite the incident, Trump plans to maintain his original schedule. His next public appearance is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday at the convention, although this could change.

The attempt on Trump's life has heightened the significance of the convention, where he is expected to deliver a major speech and announce his running mate for one of the most politically charged elections in U.S. history.

Trump had a brief and respectful phone conversation with Joe Biden on Sunday but otherwise adhered to his schedule of meetings and convention preparations to manage the shock of the shooting.

The FBI and the ATF are leading the investigation into the assassination attempt. Federal investigators executed several search warrants on Sunday to uncover Crooks' motive.

Trump was treated for injuries to his right ear at a local medical facility and then traveled to Bedminster on his plane, landing shortly after midnight.

Limited staff accompanied Trump at the rally, as many of his advance team members were already in Milwaukee for the convention. His campaign chief Susie Wiles, spokesperson Steven Cheung, and deputy communications director Margo Martin were among those present.

From Bedminster, Trump posted on Truth Social, expressing his intention to attend the convention as planned. "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 a potential assassin, to force change to scheduling, or anything else," he wrote.

An internal memo reviewed by the Guardian revealed that Trump's campaign leadership insisted their convention plans remain unchanged. The memo emphasized the importance of unity and perseverance in the face of tragedy, reaffirming their mission to re-elect President Trump.

"The RNC Convention will continue as planned in Milwaukee, where we will nominate our President to be the brave and fearless nominee of our Party. We appreciate your dedication and perseverance and are thankful for each and every one of you," the memo concluded.