Local Law Enforcement Ready to Secure Saturday Trump Campaign Rally at St. Cloud State University

(KNSI) – The St. Cloud Police Department says it is ready to help make Saturday’s visit by the Republican presidential ticket as secure as possible.

Former President and current GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump and running mate, Senator J.D. Vance, will be at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center on the campus of St. Cloud State University for a campaign rally two weeks to the day after an assassination attempt. A gunman opened fire on Trump during an outdoor campaign stop in Butler, Pennsylvania. Trump narrowly missed being shot in the head, but a bullet did hit his ear. The suspect was killed.

Assistant St. Cloud Police Chief Brett Mushatt told KNSI News he can’t discuss specifics, but stressed they will have plenty of help. “It’s a complete area response. Everything from helping out the different venues to providing some additional coverage should we run short on resources. There’s just a ton of agencies that get involved in these types of visits.”

He says the Secret Service is being assisted by the SCPD, the Benton, Sherburne and Stearns County Sheriff’s Offices, along with the Minnesota State Patrol, just to name a few. He says there will be a large enough police presence in St. Cloud to secure the event and protect the town.

Despite a ton of road construction and a major influx of people coming to the city, Mushatt thinks it won’t be any harder to get around than it is now. “Close to the venue, you might see a few road closures, but nothing that’s significant.”

The city is no stranger to high-profile guests. In February 2023, Vice President Kamala Harris made a stop in St. Cloud to promote electric vehicle usage at the New Flyer plant. In November 2012, former President Bill Clinton headlined a campaign rally for President Barack Obama at the Atwood Memorial Ballroom at SCSU. In March of 2009, then Vice President Joe Biden was at New Flyer in St. Cloud to tout a federal economic stimulus package in the wake of the Great Recession. In September 2004, President George W. Bush held a campaign rally at Dick Putz Field at the Municipal Athletic Complex in St. Cloud.

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