GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (NewsNation) — Former President Donald Trump will hold his first public campaign rally since the attempt on his life during a Pennsylvania campaign stop last week.
The event in Grand Rapids comes just one week after an attempted assassination injured Trump and killed a firefighter. Before the official GOP nominee took the stage, his newly announced running mate, Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) rallied the crowd.
The pair are fresh from the Republican National Convention, where they garnered support from former rivals and allies alike.
Supporters of the former president crowded the streets of downtown Grand Rapids in anticipation of his remarks Saturday evening.
For security reasons, numerous streets were closed with vendors selling food and apparel. Among them was a vendor from North Carolina who had traveled to Michigan earlier in the day, who said that he had spent the night making shirts featuring “Trump Vance ’24.”
Downtown Grand Rapids also saw a significant police presence, with officers stationed on nearly every block, while others patrolled on horseback and bicycles.
“This is the tightest I’ve ever seen the security,” said Renee White, who said she’s been to 33 of Trump’s rallies.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
