Focus shifts to security as the GOP national convention gets underway

Attention shifted to security Sunday at the Republican National Convention with President Joe Biden ordering the Secret Service to review its procedures following an assassination attempt of GOP candidate Donald Trump and the RNC chair saying he’s “very comfortable” with security measures in place.

Among other developments Sunday, a pair of New York congressmen proposed legislation to beef up protection for presidential candidates for the rest of the campaign.

The Trump campaign sent a memo to staffers telling them to stay away from campaign offices until new security measures are put in place. Also, Republican Congress members had a security briefing to discuss coordinating their daily whereabouts with U.S. Capitol Police.

The convention, set in Milwaukee, begins Monday.

“I think, under the circumstances, everyone is aware there has to be a higher level of concern that will be matched by a higher level of security,” Rep. Marc Molinaro said after the telephone briefing. The Catskill Republican will not be attending the convention, though he had decided that before a gunman fired at Trump and others at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.

The former president survived, but said a bullet pierced his right ear. A bystander was killed, and Secret Service killed the shooter, who was identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.

Biden, at news conference, said he’d spoken to Trump and that he’s directed the Secret Service to provide his rival with “every resource and protective security measure to ensure his continued safety.”

“Second, I’ve directed the head of the Secret Service to review all security measures for the Republican National Convention,” Biden said. He added he’s ordered a review of Saturday’s events.

Meanwhile, Michael Whatley, chairman of the RNC, said he’s been working with law enforcement and is “very comfortable” with security measures in place for the convention where Trump will be nominated formally.

“In terms of the physical sense of the arena set, the security is here, and we feel very comfortable that we’re working with the Secret Service; we’re working with 40 different law enforcement agencies in terms of what that security is going to look like,” Whatley said on “Fox News Sunday.”

“And this is going to be a facility where we’re going to be able to have 50,000 delegates and alternates and guests and members of the media, who are going to be here and” be safe, Whatley said.

Trump senior campaign advisers Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles issued a memo to staffers saying the convention would go on as planned, but telling them to avoid going into campaign offices in Washington, D.C., and West Palm Beach, Florida, until those locations are assessed, multiple media outlets reported.

“We are enhancing the armed security presence with 24/7 officers on-site,” the memo said, according to Axios.

Republican congressional members participating in the security briefing call Sunday afternoon were “asked to coordinate their calendar activity through the week so Capitol Police is aware of your schedule,” Molinaro said, adding that he couldn’t divulge specifics.

Separately, Rep. Michael Lawler, a Rockland County Republican, said he will join with Rep. Ritchie Torres, a Bronx Democrat, to introduce a bill requiring enhanced protections for presidential candidates for the rest of the campaign.

“We’re working out the terms and logistics of it,” Lawler told Newsday. “But, frankly, it’s a responsibility of the U.S. government and the Secret Service to ensure the safety and well-being of these candidates. It should not be up for debate or negotiation.”

The shooting occurred during a time when threats of political violence, often fueled by social media, are rising.

Lawler and Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport) said their offices have received several threats in recent years — for Garbarino, a death threat for voting for the bipartisan infrastructure bill.

“This is scary stuff,” Garbarino said. “The rhetoric has gotten so bad. People see it on social media and believe it — even if it could be complete” baloney.

Lawler said conventions typically have a heightened level of security but it’s community and campaign events that are “more disconcerting” because those have less security.

Further, he said the “demonizing” and vitriol of politics has to be addressed.

“I think there needs to be a hard reevaluation on all parts on how we deal with this going forward because this just can’t continue,” Lawler said.

By Yancey Roy

yancey.roy@newsday.com@yanceyroy