Valerie McGregor, a Trump supporter who attended the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where an assassination attempt was made on the former president, expresses concerns about security measures and hesitance to attend future outdoor events.
In the aftermath of a harrowing assassination attempt at a former President Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, a shaken attendee, Valerie McGregor, has come forward to voice her alarm over security lapses and doubts her future attendance at similar events.
McGregor, a Plum, Pennsylvania, resident and first-time Trump rally attendee, described a scene of chaos and pandemonium as shots rang out and hydraulic fluid spewed from a nearby forklift. She witnessed a speaker collapse to the ground, struck by the jet of hydro-fluid.
Former Trump Rally Attendee Questions Future Event Security after Assassination Attempt
Reflecting on the incident, McGregor expressed concerns that echoed those voiced on local radio shows—namely, the absence of surveillance drones and other security measures that she believes could have prevented the attack.
"I had heard what [the radio shows] discussed right after – and they were right," she said. "They’re things I don’t think about because I had never been to another rally."
Former Trump Rally Attendee Questions Future Event Security after Assassination Attempt
McGregor's traumatic experience has left her questioning whether she will attend another Trump rally. "I hear that President Trump is still doing his rallies; that’s good," she said. "But you know what: I don’t know if I’ll go to another."
She highlighted the inherent risks associated with large outdoor rallies, particularly given the intense polarization surrounding Trump's presence. "You’re at a rally with the former President of the United States—how much safer could you be?" she asked.
Former Trump Rally Attendee Questions Future Event Security after Assassination Attempt
The Secret Service has reportedly urged the Trump campaign to reconsider outdoor events, suggesting a shift to large indoor venues instead. McGregor acknowledged the potential benefits of indoor rallies in terms of controlled access, but expressed concerns about the risks associated with large crowds seeking to exit in case of an emergency.
McGregor further criticized the delayed resignation of former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle. She believes that Cheatle should have been dismissed immediately after the security failures were identified.
Former Trump Rally Attendee Questions Future Event Security after Assassination Attempt
"In corporate America, if someone dropped the ball in a very serious way, they would have been 'out the door' immediately," she said.
McGregor's account serves as a sobering reminder of the security challenges and potential consequences associated with large outdoor events, particularly those involving high-profile figures like former President Trump. As the Trump campaign considers future rally arrangements, McGregor's concerns underscore the paramount importance of robust security measures to ensure the safety of attendees and prevent future tragedies.
