Canada's premiers reassess their protective detail following Trump assassination attempt
CTV
Although it’s not an official agenda item at the meeting of Canada’s premiers in Halifax this week, the provincial leaders are sharing concerns about the assassination attempt on former U.S. President Donald Trump and reassessing the level of protection needed to keep themselves safe.
Although it’s not an official agenda item at the meeting of Canada’s premiers in Halifax this week, the provincial leaders are sharing concerns about the assassination attempt on former U.S. President Donald Trump and reassessing the level of protection needed to keep themselves safe.
Chaos broke out Saturday at a political rally held in Butler, Pennsylvania, when shots rang out and screams were heard shortly after Trump started a speech. Trump ducked for cover behind the podium. Blood dripped from his ear as he was flanked by Secret Service agents who tried to shield the Republican candidate from further harm.
The Secret Service confirmed the suspected shooter fired multiple shots from a rooftop, killed a man in attendance and critically injured two others before one of their officers killed him.
Outside the convention centre where they were meeting, several premiers condemned the violence and urged people to tone down the inflammatory rhetoric when talking about politics.
"Certainly it’s not on the agenda, but it’s on the top of everybody’s mind here,” said P.E.I. Premier Dennis King. “We’re in a very volatile time when it comes to the relationship between people and the political leaders.”
King expressed concern over the increasing level of political anger he sees on social media and on television news, and said he feels the tension in person in his daily interactions at home.
“I don’t know what has caused that or what has precipitated over the last few years that has made that relationship meaner or more angrier,” said King.
