Biden's Secret Service Refuses To Create Reasonable Protective Zone at GOP Milwaukee Convention

Democrats and liberals love to talk about "preserving democracy." But their record is a bit sketchy when it comes to actually doing that. Ask anyone who showed up anywhere near Washington D.C. and the Capitol on January 6, 2021, anyone who gave differing views on COVID, anyone who questioned the 2020 election, you get the drift. Security is a top priority as the 2024 election inches closer, and both parties are gearing up for their respective conventions this summer. At least the security for Democrats is top of mind, for Republicans, not so much.

The USSS refuses to create a reasonable safety perimeter around GOP convention in Milwaukee. Biden's Admin idea of “protecting democracy” is to ban, silence, jail or assault its political opponents. Too late to move the RNC? Go to friendlier city!https://t.co/62IBdWNLgC
— Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) May 13, 2024

Over at RedState's sister site, PJ Media, Rick Moran recently reported that there is currently no love lost between the Secret Service and the Republican party over the issue of security at this summer's Republican National Convention being held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at the Fiserv Forum. At issue is the Secret Service's refusal to expand the present perimeter of the "security zone" for delegates and convention goers, and set up "free speech zones" further away from the venue. While Democrats will be well protected and well removed from any potential threat from protesters, their free speech zone will be roughly three miles away from their convention venue, the United Center in Chicago, and there will be several security zones around that venue.

GOP officials with the convention have met with the Secret Service to no avail. Because the Secret Service is unwilling to move free speech zones further from the venue, it sets up what could be an interesting daily commute for convention delegates and guests. The free speech zone is located in Pere Lafayette Park, just a quarter mile from the site. To get to the Fiserv Forum, delegates will have to walk by the park, which is located between two main streets leading to the Forum.

Democrat administrations too often seem ready to apply #unAmerican #doublestandards to get at Republicans. — @SecretService Won't Budge in Moving Security Zone Farther From #GOP Convention in Milwaukee https://t.co/8UohESnEdR
— Stephen Waters (@sbwTweet) May 13, 2024

The Secret Service's answer to the GOP request was, “We have no information that there will be unrest related to that activity." Are they kidding? Has anyone from the Secret Service been to a college campus recently and witnessed often violent anti-Israel protesters? But it gets even better. In Democrat-run Milwaukee, a police captain stated that it was not the mostly peaceful protesters they were worried about, it was Republican delegates attending the convention. He cited community concerns that GOP delegates and others might “terrorize Milwaukee citizens” and that “There is fear in the community." Of course, another Democrat city official, Milwaukee City Hall Chief of Staff Nick DeSiato, backed up the claims and said, “The captain’s comment reflected feedback from some of our community members.” Then there is also the possibility that should any encounters between delegates and protesters take place, the Democrat media in a Democrat city will promptly blame Republicans. Let's not also forget that Democrats, more specifically, Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS) of January 6 Committee fame, recently introduced a bill that would strip Donald Trump of any Secret Service protection if he is convicted of any felonies related to his ongoing legal cases. It's almost as if Democrats don't want Republicans protected. Hmmm.

The situation has led Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to ask why a request for a meeting with Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheadle has gone unanswered, but it is unknown whether MCConnell's urging has pushed Cheadle to schedule that meeting. But as one of those alternate delegates who will have to walk past the "free speech" zone daily during the convention, I have a question; is some childish and potentially dangerous game of sticking it to Republicans more important than my safety and the safety of my fellow delegates as visitors to Milwaukee? Bet the answer to that question is floating in the same ether as the Republicans' meeting request with Kimberly Cheadle.

But Milwaukee city spokesman Jeff Fleming is not worried about a setting that has every potential for violence, stating that the city, “expects a well-behaved group of protesters from a variety of viewpoints.”

Big thanks to Mr. Fleming, as well as Director Cheadle. That makes me feel so much better.