MILWAUKEE — The big day for the Republican National Convention has finally arrived. Former President Donald Trump is expected to accept his party’s nomination for president on Thursday.

After last week’s assassination attempt, security is top of mind.

Former U.S. Secret Service Agent Ronald Layton talked about measures taken to protect all of those attending and shared his thoughts about security at last week’s assassination attempt on the former president.

What You Need To Know

  • The FBI continues to investigate the attempted assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump and as potential domestic terrorism

  • The FBI has not identified a motive for the shooter’s actions, but are working to determine the sequence of events and the shooter’s movements prior to the shooting

  • Former U.S. Secret Service Agent Raymond Layton said the assassination attempt on Trump is a reflection on the Secret Service's staffing challenges

  • Protecting the country’s senior leaders is one of the missions of the Secret Service. Republican or Democrat, Layton said that mission never changes

“After getting past the shock of what happened, I was actually very angry” said Layton about last week’s assassination attempt. 

Layton spent 26 years with the Secret Service, finishing his career as a deputy assistant director.

He said that attempt is a reflection on the agency’s staffing challenges. 

“If you’re playing an 11-person football game, you actually need 11 people. You can’t do it with five people,” Layton said.

Layton said former presidents are not staffed the same way as a current president. He said the Secret Service may use other agencies to help secure perimeters.

Layton said the assassination attempt on Trump is a reflection on resourcing.

“That particular structure where the gentleman shot a protectee that was 127 yards from the stage containing Mr. Trump. This is a question of resourcing. If you have to take outer perimeter high ground, which is a significant vulnerability, and ask partner agencies to do something that you should be resourced to do yourself, then you and I aren’t having this conversation,” Layton said.

Security won’t be far from the minds of those attending Trump’s acceptance speech.

Layton said the Secret Service has a strong presence at the convention since it’s designated as a National Special Security Event (NSSE).

“It’s a whole of-government approach, and resources are robust. So, you can effectuate a strategy if you have the resources to be able to do it. That’s kind of top line. So, the resources are there, they’re in place. I actually do not see a need to change the strategy,” Layton said.

Protecting the country’s senior leaders is one mission of the Secret Service. Republican or Democrat, Layton said that mission never changes.

“You elect them, we protect them, which is another way to say that the organization, at its core, is a politically agnostic organization. It doesn’t matter what party you come from. It’s mission first, and the mission is to keep presidents safe and free from harm,” Layton said.

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