Pentagon Condemns Political Violence, Details National Guard Aid to Convention

There is no place in America for the type of violence demonstrated in Pennsylvania over the weekend in which a gunman tried to assassinate former President Donald Trump, said Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh today.

Singh said the tragedy that killed a Pennsylvania man and wounded others "is not the way we resolve our differences in America."

She said the U.S. military has made no changes to force posture as a result of the attack. "We've confirmed with each of the military service branches that there is no military service affiliation for the suspect," Singh said. Secret Service snipers killed the suspect, Thomas Matthew Crooks.

Singh also said there are no changes to the long-planned deployment of National Guardsmen and some active-duty personnel in support of the Republican National Convention beginning in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, tomorrow.

About 1,700 National Guardsmen and a small number of active-duty personnel will support civil authorities July 13-19. "These personnel are supporting the FBI, U.S. Secret Service and Milwaukee metro police department for 24/7 operations," she said.

The personnel are mainly from the Wisconsin, Minnesota and North Dakota National Guard and will provide capabilities such as civil support, explosive ordnance expertise and security. They will remain "postured to respond to other emergent domestic requirements to protect life, property and to maintain peace, order and public safety," Singh said.

The National Guard support to the Republican National Convention was long planned. The Milwaukee convention is one of three national, special security events where the National Guard will support civil authorities. The NATO summit that occurred in Washington last week was one of them, and guardsmen will be deploying to support the Democratic National Convention later this summer.