DALLAS — Shocks and disbelief has abounded in the wake of Saturday's assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania.
Political questions have come to the forefront, as well.
The shooting happened just days before President Trump was scheduled to accept the Republican nomination for a third time at the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
In the wake of the assassination attempt, Travis County Republican Chair Matt Mackowiak spoke with Inside Texas Politics about how attempting to assassinate a political figure is just something that you just don’t see in modern times.
"Y'know, assassination attempts on political figures is something that happens either in history in America or in other countries," Mackowiack said. "It's not something any of us are accustomed to seeing in our country. This is a scary moment. It's a sobering moment. It's a devastating emotional moment."
Mackowiak also thinks the shooting could potentially change the presidential campaign going forward -- but it won’t stop the president from accepting the Republican nomination at the Republican National Convention, he said.
"He would have to have to go on Thursday, be part of showing strength and being defiant, and showing the courage that we know he possesses," said Mackowiak.
Mackowiak says the attempted assassination also raises questions as to how this could have happened. He says security around a former president is not at the same level as it is for a current president.
"The Secret Service detail is not as extensive," he said. "It makes me wonder whether anyone who's a protectee needs to start getting the same level of security that a current president or vice president or first lady would get. These are the kind of questions, I think we're gonna have to get into in the days and weeks to come."