By james art MIDTOWN, Manhattan (WABC) — Security will be increased on the walkways in front of The Garden. There will be multiple checkpoints and levels of surveillance. The only time Donald Trump will be seen in public is when he takes the stage. NYPD Deputy Commissioner Rebecca Weiner.
“Of course, to anyone looking at it, it would be pretty obvious why. You had two assassination attempts on the former president, the presidential candidate, within eight weeks,” said New York Police Deputy Commissioner Rebecca Weiner.
Outdoor rallies like Trump’s latest event last summer are considered too risky. Unlike earlier this year, Trump is no longer seen leaving Trump Tower. News helicopters are now banned from flying when his motorcade is in motion.
“We take all of this incredibly seriously. We adapt our approach to the threat picture, to the threat environment and to the context. And that’s how we’re going to make sure that this event goes off without a hitch,” added Deputy Commissioner Weiner.
The former president announced his plans earlier this month.
“We just rented Madison Square Garden. We’re going to do a play. We’re going to do a play about New York!” he said.
However, police cannot ignore the potential for scenes like when MSG hosted the Republican Convention 20 years ago and hundreds of demonstrators were rounded up after angry clashes with police.
State Sen. Brad Hoylman-Siegal urged The Garden to reconsider.
“This is a catastrophic decision by Madison Square Garden,” he said, “which will endanger the public safety of New Yorkers and has the potential to incite widespread violence.”
Gov. Kathy Hochul played down the risk.
“People will have rallies. This is America,” she said. “I feel very confident in the police that they will handle it.”
There will be street closures. Penn Station will be open, but some entrances may be closed. No, the former president cannot expect to win in New York. But he knows what happens here Sunday will make national news.
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