Trump backtracks on outdoor rallies ban

Former President Donald Trump said he will continue to hold outdoor rallies, reversing a decision after he was nearly assassinated to discontinue his signature events. 

“I WILL CONTINUE TO DO OUTDOOR RALLIES, AND SECRET SERVICE HAS AGREED TO SUBSTANTIALLY STEP UP THEIR OPERATION,” Trump said on Saturday in a post to Truth Social. “THEY ARE VERY CAPABLE OF DOING SO. NO ONE CAN EVER BE ALLOWED TO STOP  OR IMPEDE FREE SPEECH OR GATHERING!!!”

Almost two weeks after the former president was nearly killed during a July 13 outdoor rally in Pennsylvania, the Trump campaign made the call to pivot to indoor venues due to safety concerns. 

Just days later, Trump had a change of heart as he promised to continue his trademark Make America Great Again rallies under the open sky. 

During the doomed Butler County rally that prompted the decision to hold indoor events only,  a gunman gained access to a rooftop under 300 yards from the stage where Trump stood. The shooter’s ability to gain close proximity to the president prompted intense scrutiny of the Secret Service’s security footprint at Trump events. 

Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle has since resigned, and the House has established a bipartisan task force to investigate the agency’s massive security breach.

While the former president survived a bullet wound during the Pennsylvania event, a rally attendee died due to the open fire while two others were critically injured.