BEAUMONT, Texas — Southeast Texas political experts say Saturday's assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump will change the security measures of future presidential campaign events.
12News caught up with Lamar University political Science expert Dr. James Nelson and one of our Southeast Texas delegates at the Republican National Convention (RNC).
From Kennedy to Reagan and now Trump, assassinations and attempts change how the secret service protects our top politicians. You can expect to see these changes on the campaign trail.
"Of our 46 presidents, four of them have been assassinated. Lincoln, Garfield, McKinley and Kennedy were all assassinated," said Dr. Nelson.
Their deaths brought on major changes to safety measures for presidents.
"After the Kennedy assassination, you don't really see presidents traveling in open motorcades," Dr. Nelson said.
The last failed assassination of a U.S. president was in 1981.
"Was actually Reagan and in the situation, fortunately the president survived as well. He was more seriously injured than Mr. Trump was," he told 12News.
Dr. Nelson says Trump being shot at an outside campaign event, could have implications on his events in the future.
"You may see the candidates in this race being less open and accessible to the public than they are. And having additional security protocols be on the ones that already exist," he said.
Jefferson County alternate delegate Danielle Faraci is at the RNC in Milwaukee.
"We have three levels of security. They are checking vehicles. They beefed it up. The presence here is extremely heavy. As you can expect with all the dignitaries that are here, much less President Trump," Faraci said.
Faraci says security is also not allowing anyone in or out of the room while presidential candidate Trump is speaking.
"Law enforcement officers are always out keeping us safe. And that's what they're doing here. And as you all know we are the party for pro law enforcement, and military so we absolutely appreciate them," she said.
She tells 12News these steps have made her and other delegates feel extra safe at the RNC this week.