July 13, 2024: Assassination attempt on President Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. 

I was at an early dinner with a friend when I got a text that simply said, “Holy shit.” That seemed a strange message. So I texted back, “What the heck?? What is holy shit?”

That is how I found out that Trump was shot.

I immediately told my friend and told the couple sitting at the bar next to me. Then I googled it. The news wasn’t very clear at the time. Headlines said such things as Trump Fell and Secret Service Remove Him, Shooting at Trump Rally, Trump Removed after Loud Noises. Luckily, we were almost finished eating because I wanted to get home and find out what was going on.

And once I got home and was able to see the videos and hear the eyewitness accounts, I was sick to my stomach.

I’m sorry. But the video of him getting up off the ground, face bloodied and surrounded by the secret service and then throwing his fist in the air to cheers and then chants of USA chokes me up. Yep, I’ll admit it. I love this country. I love goofy patriotic stuff: the National Anthem at ball games, air shows featuring the Blue Angels or the Thunderbirds, and Fourth of July fireworks. And the thought of one of our presidents, any one of our presidents, getting assassinated is overwhelmingly emotional.

I remember when John HInckley took a shot at Ronald Reagan. I was in class at the time, and the word spread through the room like wildfire. And I remember getting home to watch as much coverage as I could on what happened. I remember being haunted by the graphic video of James Brady after being shot in the head.

I actually attended a Trump rally on June 18 in Racine, Wisconsin. I had been wanting to go to one with my camera to capture the event. The crazy thing is how similar the setup of the Pennsylvania rally was exactly the same as the one I attended. I couldn’t stop thinking about that, picturing it happening when I was there.

But I also have to admit that I was about as certain as I could have been back in 2020 that Trump would be assassinated. It just seemed like the only possibility given the rhetoric and division in the country. Given the desperation to keep Trump from winning reelection.

The timing is interesting. The Republican National Convention begins in Milwaukee in two days. And I am set to attend. I have my hotel room, my charged cameras, my empty SD card, and my press pass ready to go.

Security at the convention has been in the news for a while, with disagreements and lawsuits over protest permits either being denied or approved for locations far from the site. Ironically, yesterday the March on the RNC, which is the organization that is in charge of protests, came to an agreement with the Secret Service and the city to open up the area where protesters will be able to march past the venue. My guess is that will now change. I can only imagine the security will be at insane levels.

Quickly, the March on the RNC sent out an email regarding the status of the convention and the protests, and I really appreciate the message (boldface mine – good position!):

Milwaukee, WI – The Coalition to March on the RNC reaffirms our commitment to a family-friendly march along the route we have agreed on with the City. From the very beginning of our Coalition, we have been clear about two things: we stand in opposition to the racist and reactionary Republican agenda, and we are a broad coalition that is planning a family-friendly march. Our points of unity are in opposition to the entire Republican agenda, not solely one candidate or politician.

Our broad coalition includes many endorsing organizations such as unions, community groups, and churches. We have teams of experienced marshals and medics prepared to keep us safe. Our history as organizers speaks for itself. We have held several marches over the last two years, including one with over a thousand participants, and have seen no arrests or injuries. We are confident in our security plan, we uphold our agreement with the City to march within sight and sound of the Fiserv Forum without being impeded by law enforcement, and Deputy City Attorney Adam Stephens will be marching with us to make sure things go off without a hitch.

Probably no surprise, but I did get some texts suggesting I cancel my trip to Milwaukee. But I have no intention of doing that. I probably am actually now even more determined to go, to witness history.

I am sad tonight for our country. We shall see what news comes out over the next few days, and we shall see how various leaders respond to this assassination attempt. 

And I’ll finish this post by asking you to keep me and everyone headed to Milwaukee in your thoughts over this next week!