Donald Trump has vowed to attend the Republican Convention on Monday in Milwaukee, one day after he was nearly assassinated by a 20-year-old in Pennsylvania – while new details begin to emerge about the abhorrent security failures that took place.
According to sources, a police officer backed away when the would-be assassin pointed a rifle at him, just moments before he then fired in Trump’s direction, clipping his ear.
Trump announced he will not be delaying his Wisconsin trip – less than 24 hours after he was shot by Thomas Matthew Crooks from a rooftop 130 yards away.
Follow DailyMail.com’s live blog for all the developments.
19:48
Breaking: Local police officer came face-to-face with would-be assassin but backed away, sources say
20:49
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers requests Secret Service not allow firearms within 'soft' security perimeter of GOP Convention
20:36
Pennsylvania police identify the two victims injured in the Trump assassination attempt
20:24
Attorney General Merrick Garland: 'This was an attack on democracy itself'
I want to begin by saying that I am grateful that former President Trump is safe following yesterday’s horrific assassination attempt. On behalf of the entire Justice Department, I want to extend my deepest condolences to the loved ones of the spectator who was killed. Our hearts are with them, and with those critically injured and their families.
And I am deeply grateful to the agents and law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line during yesterday’s attack.
I spent the morning in briefings with Justice Department personnel as well as our partners across the federal government.
And earlier today, I briefed President Biden in the Situation Room on our investigation of yesterday’s shooting.
I have directed the FBI, the ATF, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania, and the Department’s National Security Division to bring every available resource to bear on this investigation.
I want to reiterate that the violence that we saw yesterday is an attack on our democracy itself.
The Justice Department has no tolerance for such violence. And as Americans, we must have no tolerance for it. This must stop.
20:05
FBI investigating Trump shooting as 'potential domestic terrorism'
20:01
FBI: Gunman used an 'AR-style 556 rifle'
19:26
Senate Democrats' campaign arm pauses ads and fundraising
19:17
Trump's campaign and NRCC halt digital fundraising in aftermath of rally shooting
19:11
Gov. DeSantis questions FBI ability to remain free from political influence when investigating assassination attempt
[T]here does need to be an investigation regarding the security protocols used in Butler. The answer to the following question must be provided in short order: how did someone, armed with a rifle, get on top of a roof 150 yards away from the stage?
DC bureaucratic failures almost never result in any accountability; this time needs be to be different. Our country is in the peril its in partly because the DC ruling class has consistently evaded responsibility for its failures.
18:56
As Trump heads to Milwaukee, convention-goers are reminded of another assassination attempt on a former president in 1912
18:52
Gunman pointed rifle at police officer who found him on rooftop shortly before he opened fire on Trump
18:47
Exclusive: I served in the FBI for 25 years… this is who I suspect is to blame for the Trump assassination attempt security disaster
What the hell happened – and how was it possible? These questions will be at the heart of the FBI investigation into probable multiple failures by the Secret Service and others in the lead-up to the attempted assassination of Donald Trump .
During 25 years with the FBI, I have seen how countless similar rallies were organised and I consider it highly likely that the Secret Service was responsible for security within an enclosed perimeter, while the local police took charge of the wider zone outside.
18:32
Donald Trump says 'potential assassin' will not force him to change schedule and announces he will press on with plan to fly to Milwaukee on Sunday
18:23
How the Secret Service failed to stop the Trump shooter climbing onto a roof just 130 yards away and open fire: The biggest questions on huge lapse in security that NEED answering
18:21
Biden asks Americans not to make 'assumptions' about the motives of Trump shooter
18:11
Breaking:Biden announced Oval Office address
18:07
Breaking:Biden: 'An assassination attempt is contrary to everything we stand for as a nation'
18:03
NBC's Lester Holt to interview Biden at White House on Monday
17:59
British PM Keir Starmer speaks with Donald Trump to wish him a speedy recovery
17:51
Republican Rep calls on Secret Service director to be fired
17:45
Nigel Farage announces he will attend Republican convention in show of support for Donald Trump after shooting
I was very upset and I’m still upset. I’m obviously pleased that my friend Donald has got away with it, only just, but he’s got away with it. But one person is dead. Two more are fighting for their lives in hospital so it’s an absolutely horrendous incident and yet somehow I’m not shocked by it.
17:35
Democratic staffer fired for suggesting Trump shooter shouldn't have 'missed'
17:33
Ivanka Trump by her father's side
17:33
Biden cancels Texas trip
17:26
GoFundMe appeal rockets past $1.5M
17:13
Biden's campaign has to scramble to find a new strategy after rally shooting
This changes everything. We’re still assessing. Making the case against Trump, drawing that split screen, will get much harder.
16:36
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro: Corey Comperatore died a hero
Corey went to church every Sunday for a loved his community. And most especially Corey loves his family. Corey was an avid supporter of the former president, and was so excited to be there last night with him in the community.
I asked Coery’s wife, if it would be okay for me to share that we spoke. She said yes. She also asked that I share with all of you that Corey died a hero.
This is a moment where all leaders have a responsibility to speak and act with moral clarity. For all leaders, we need to take down the temperature and rise above the hateful rhetoric that exists in search for a better brighter future for this nation.
16:29
Nikki Haley now expected to speak in Milwaukee at the GOP convention
16:27
Ivanka Trump says her mother Ivana was 'watching over Dad'
16:26
Biden to speak at 1:30 pm
16:08
Classmate describes Trump gunman as a 'loner'
16:03
Biden in Situation Room for briefing
15:59
'Your head is bloody': What Secret Service agents said to Trump
15:54
Harris postpones campaign trip scheduled near Trump's Florida home
15:52
'Go, go, go!': What Secret Service agents said to each other amid the mayhem as they bundled Trump away
15:48
Trump rally attendee killed in shooting identified as Corey Comperatore
15:47
TIME Magazine cover showcases iconic picture of Trump fist pump after narrowly surviving assassination attempt
15:41
Slain rally attendee was former local fire chief
15:34
Law enforcement throws up ring of steel around Republican Convention in Milwaukee
15:28
Secret Service REJECTS claims Trump was denied extra protection before shooting as questions grow over 'security failure'
15:18
RNC chairman says the 'security is here' as 50,000 are set to head to GOP Convention
14:52
'Explosive devices' found in Trump gunman's car
14:44
Trump's possible VEEP picks show public support after assassination attempt as anticipation reaches fever pitch on who he'll select as running mate
14:27
Breaking: Melania breaks silence on 'monster' assassin who targeted husband Trump
14:21
Face of the man who tried to assassinate Trump
14:12
'Politics should be kind of boring' insists Bernie Sanders after assassination attempt on Trump
Politics should be kind of boring.
We have got to see is serious discussion of serious issues and not this kind of harsh rhetoric.
13:58
Campaign manager reveals why Trump moved his head before gunman's bullet hit his ear
Thank God last nights rally was one in which President Trump wanted to use and reference the jumbotron, causing him to slightly move his head at the moment shots were fired.
13:55
Lauren Boebert says Joe Biden bears responsibility for Trump shooting
I do believe that Joe Biden is responsible for the shooting.
Everyone who has called him (Trump) a fascist, everyone who has called him a threat to democracy, who said that he should be put in a bullseye as Joe Biden said, they need to have some very deep reflection tonight before another tragedy like this takes place.
13:52
Shooting witnesses tell DailyMail.com the attempted assassin is 'evil' and his actions could have been sparked due to 'crazy' talk after Supreme Court immunity decision
13:47
'Emergency hearing' with Secret Service expected next Monday on Capitol Hill
13:42
Top Republicans blame Biden for Trump assassination attempt as American democracy is pushed to breaking point amid claims ex-president was refused bolstered Secret Service security
13:41
Security at the convention will be ‘reexamined’: Ron Johnson cites need for ‘manpower’
13:39
Speaker Mike Johnson says after Trump shooting Americans must 'turn down the violent rhetoric'
13:31
Secret Service blasts ‘untrue’ claim Trump sought additional security
13:28
Thomas Matthew Crooks pictured: Everything we know about Biden donor who shot Trump during rally
13:25
Pre-assassination poll has Trump ahead of Biden by two point
13:07
Russia accuses the Biden administration of causing the atmosphere that triggered shooting
We do not believe that the attempt to eliminate and assassinate Trump was organised by the current authorities. But the atmosphere around candidate Trump … provoked what America is confronting today.
After numerous attempts to remove candidate Trump from the political arena – using first legal tools, the courts, prosecutors, attempts to politically discredit and compromise the candidate – it was obvious to all outside observers that his life was in danger.
13:06
Staggering blow-by-blow account of how the ex-president was INCHES away from being murdered
13:03
Libertarian-minded Rep Thomas Massie suggests the FBI will never get to the bottom of the shooting
12:59
Neighborhood of alleged shooter is quiet and neighbors call events 'shocking and very sad'
12:51
Trump echoes Reagan in thanking God for his survival
Whatever happens now I owe my life to God and will try to serve him in every way I can.
But I realized I couldn’t ask for God’s help while at the same time I felt hatred for the mixed up young man who had shot me. Isn’t that the meaning of the lost sheep? We are all Gods children and therefore equally beloved by him. I began to pray for his soul and that he would find his way back to the fold.
12:47
Speaker Johnson: 'Congress will conduct a full investigation'
Obviosuly we can’t go on like this as a society.
12:44
Campaign memo warns Trump staff to stay away from their offices on Sunday as extra security measures are taken
We are enhancing the armed security presence with 24/7 officers on-site. Additional security assessments will be in place. Our highest priority is to keep all of you on this staff safe. We also urge you to recognize the political polarization in this heated election. If something looks or feels off, please flag it immediately for leadership or an on-site security team. Please do not comment publicly on the occurrence of today. We condemn all forms of violence, and will not tolerate dangerous rhetoric on social media.
12:34
Neighbor of alleged shooter says he woke up to police roping off his home
12:26
GoFundMe raises $265K+ for victims of assassination attempt on Trump
President Donald Trump has authorized this account as a place for donations to the supporters and families wounded or killed in today’s brutal and horrific assassination attempt. All donations will be directed to these proud Americans as they grieve and recover. May God bless and unite our nation.
12:26
Police outside gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks' home
12:24
Trump thanks God for saving his life
Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers yesterday, as it was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening. We will FEAR NOT, but instead remain resilient in our Faith and Defiant in the face of Wickedness.
Our love goes out to the other victims and their families. We pray for the recovery of those who were wounded, and hold in our hearts the memory of the citizen who was so horribly killed. In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United, and show our True Character as Americans, remaining Strong and Determined, and not allowing Evil to Win.
I truly love our Country, and love you all, and look forward to speaking to our Great Nation this week from Wisconsin.