You cannot argue the emotions for the estimated 50,000 inside the United Center on July 15 as former President Donald J. Trump emerged at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, some 48 hours after surviving an assassin’s attempt at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
He was solemn.
He appeared subdued.
“It was extremely interesting to watch the demeanor and interactions of the players within the party,” says Linda Devore, a Fayetteville resident and a Republican delegate for North Carolina. “I believe it was clear to everyone that Trump was humbled and grateful before God after surviving the assassination attempt. Even before he spoke Thursday evening, his demeanor seemed different. Everyone was talking about it.”
Trump, 78, had taken the stage just after 6 p.m. at the Butler Farm Show Grounds, when a 20-year-old assassin with an AR-style rifle perched on a nearby rooftop some 147-yards away, according to published reports, unleashed a reported eight bullets — with one that would pierce Trump’s right ear before Secret Service agents would rush to shield the former president from further harm. A retired firefighter died shielding his family from the assassin’s bullets, and two other spectators were injured. A Secret Service sniper shot the assassin to death moment’s later with what, as Trump describes, a single shot.
“We attended a sunrise prayer service on Saturday morning, just hours before the Butler rally, organized by Michael Whatley,” Devore says, referring to the current RNC chairman and a former N.C. Republican Party chairman. “There were prayer vigils during the week, and a large prayer breakfast attended by hundreds during the week, which were organized weeks before the convention.”
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, Dr. Ben Carson, a former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in Trump’s presidency, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem and Gov. Glenn Youngkin, Devore says, had spoken at the prayer breakfast.
“It was encouraging to see and be a part of,” Devore says.
Later, Devore says, she and her husband first heard the news of the assassination attempt.
“My husband and I were sitting in a restaurant about a mile outside the security perimeter in Milwaukee, when we received a text from a family member in North Carolina that Trump had been shot, followed soon after with info that he appeared to be OK,” she says. “It certainly sounds as if the Secret Service did not take security at the event seriously.”
Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned Monday, a day after appearing before a House Oversight committee that left some committee members calling for her resignation.
“So many failings,” Devore says. “And the explanations from the director are not credible. From both sides of the aisle, her incompetence is obvious. Our country expects better from those responsible for the safety of our leaders. Epic failure. With members of both parties recognizing the gross incompetence, she had no choice but to resign.”
Devore was with the 74-member N.C. Carolina Republican delegation for every speech to include, she says, Susan Mills and Mike Wilkerson from Cumberland County. Alternates, she says, were Bobby Swilley and Gail Morfesis.
The convention floor is a busy place,” says Devore, who serves on the Cumberland County Board of Elections. “Hundreds of media circulating in the aisles, delegates and elected officials in conversations, signs and chants. You can barely hear yourself think at times. But during Trump’s remarks describing the assassination attempt, the room went silent.”
All eyes throughout the arena, Devores says, were on the 45th president.
“Everyone listened,” she says.
‘By the grace of almighty God’
His wounded right ear bandaged from the assassin’s bullet, Donald Trump brought his message of “Make America Great Once Again” to supporters’ delight.
“I stand before you this evening with a message of confidence, strength and hope,” Trump said in his remarks. “Four months from now, we will have an incredible victory, and we will begin the four greatest years in the history of our country … so, tonight, with faith and devotion, I proudly accept your nomination for president of the United States.”
He would recount the trauma of the failed assassination.
“Let me begin this evening by expressing my gratitude to the American people for your outpouring of love and support following the assassination attempt at my rally on Saturday,” Trump said. “As you already know, the assassin’s bullet came within a quarter of an inch of taking my life … When I heard a loud, whizzing sound and felt something hit me really, really hard on my right ear, I said to myself, ‘Wow, what was that?’ It can only be a bullet, and moved my right hand to my ear … My hand was covered with blood, just absolutely blood all over the place. I immediately knew it was very serious, that we were under attack.”
He gave praise to Secret Service agents who put themselves in peril, and moments later walked across the stage to acknowledge the loss of Corey Comperatore, the 50-year-old retired volunteer fire chief who died shielding his wife and daughter from the gunshots of the assassin. The firefighter’s helmet and gear were not far from the podium.
Trump called for all in the center to pay homage in a moment of silence.
Linda Devore recalled the final night of the Republican National Convention, when Donald J. Trump reminded his family, delegates, supporters and a national television audience of what could have been.
“I’m not supposed to be here tonight,” he said. “Not supposed to be here.
“And I’ll tell you I stand before you in this arena only by the grace of almighty God,” he said. “And watching the reports over the last few days, many people say it was a providential moment … I am more determined than ever … Our resolve is unbroken and our purpose is unchanged to deliver a government that serves the American people better than ever before. Nothing will stop me in this mission, because our vision is righteous and our causes pure, no matter what obstacle comes our way. We will not break, we will not bend, we will not back down, and I will never stop fighting for you, your family and our magnificent country.”
Epilogue
Linda Devore cannot forget the moment of the emotional evening.
“The overwhelming feeling at the convention was of God’s providence — that God had protected the life of Trump for such a time as this,” Devore says. “I felt that Trump was genuinely humbled and grateful by his recognition that God had spared his life. I felt very honored to represent North Carolina at the Republican National Convention.”
Bill Kirby Jr. can be reached at billkirby49@gmail.com or 910-624-1961.
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Trump is a big fake. He cares only for himself. He’s good at putting on a show. I’ll give him that. He’s a compulsive liar and all he talks is how to be ugly toward others.