Republican National Convention in Milwaukee puts law enforcement on high alert

Federal, state and local law enforcement officials are on high alert for the Republican National Convention that kicks off Monday in Milwaukee. The emphasis was heightened after Former President Donald Trump was injured in a shooting at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday night.

In preparation for the RNC, a joint threat assessment from the FBI, U.S. Secret Service, Milwaukee Police Department and the Milwaukee Southeastern Wisconsin Threat Analysis Center was sent to police, calling for heightened alertness.

A law enforcement source told CBS News on Saturday that no credible or specific threat was identified during the assessment.

The evaluation found concerns that the convention site and the locations before and after the celebration could be attractive targets for foreign terrorist organizations, domestic violent extremists, domestic violent extremist groups, so-called lone gunmen and active shooters, a law enforcement source said.

Other key findings in the threat assessment include that Congress could be seen as an attractive target because of its symbolic nature and links to the 2024 general elections.

As such, all law enforcement and security services will increase their presence and resources during the event. Following the shooting in Pennsylvania, plans are currently in the works to expand the perimeter at the RNC and create buffer zones around the events, multiple law enforcement officials said.

The Republican and Democratic conventions are considered high-priority events by law enforcement, comparable to other large gatherings such as the Super Bowl and presidential inaugurations.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security classifies the RNC as a SEAR-1 event, which is defined as “significant events of national and/or international significance that require extensive federal interagency support.” Federal law enforcement bulletins such as the Joint Threat Assessment are required for all SEAR-1 events.

According to the Milwaukee Police Department, at least two dozen states and the District of Columbia are sending officers to the convention. More departments could be added to the list “through the start of the convention,” officials said.

The U.S. Secret Service is the primary coordinating agency for next week’s events.

Republicans from across the country will descend on Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum arena to nominate their presidential candidate. Former President Donald Trump’s nomination this week is seen as a formality, as he received the nomination in March after gathering the required 1,125 delegates. Trump has yet to announce a vice president.

The convention begins Monday and runs through Thursday. The official nominations of the presidential candidate and running mate are expected to be announced Monday afternoon.

Milwaukee is considered a democratic strongholdBut holding the convention in Wisconsin, a state where the outcome is still uncertain, will bring the Republican Party’s message to key voters.

Nicole Spagna contributed to this report.