Westmoreland sheriff deputies pull out of helping Secret Service at Friday's Trump, Oz rally
After initially believing it would assist Secret Service agents during a political rally Friday, the Westmoreland County Sheriff’s Office did an about-face after receiving late legal advice.
According to Sheriff James Albert, the county solicitor on Wednesday afternoon contacted his office and advised that deputies should not participate because of possible liability issues that could arise from the event being held at the Westmoreland Fairgrounds, which is private property. Albert said liability issues could arise if an incident took place during the rally.
The decision to pull out came after about a dozen sheriff’s deputies met with Secret Service agents Wednesday morning to iron out security details for the event, which will feature former President Trump and Republican senatorial candidate Dr. Mehmet Oz. It is expected to draw about 20,000 people to the area.
According to Albert, members of the warrant division team were supposed to have a key role during the event. The group was to be stationed at metal detectors at the main fairground gate alongside Secret Service agents and private security.
Deputies were supposed to assist with any incidents that might arise.
Albert noted that there would not have been an issue had the event been held on county property, pointing to the 2020 Trump rally at the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport where deputies assisted with security measures.
Several crews were constructing tents near the entrance to the fairgrounds Wednesday morning and placing portable toilets in a grass field that is used for parking. Hundreds of metal barriers being moved by a forklift were placed in a field across from the parking area to make queues for attendees to enter the event.
Friday’s rally, which is the first political rally conducted on the grounds, will mark Trump’s first return to Westmoreland County since campaigning here before the 2020 election.
His return comes almost a month after he endorsed Oz, who is one of several candidates vying to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Lehigh Valley.
In January, Oz hosted hundreds at a meet-and-greet event at Giannilli’s II restaurant in Unity.
Friday’s rally begins at 8 p.m., with doors opening at 3 p.m.
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