WARREN (WWJ) - In his first visit to Michigan since April, Former President Donald Trump is expected to draw big crowds at Saturday's rally in Warren, but police said they're up for the challenge.
Mr. Trump is expected to speak this evening at the Macomb County Community College Sports and Expo Center to shore up the campaigns of Republicans running for governor, secretary of state and attorney general.
The former president's visit comes 38 days before Michigan's election on Nov. 8th and is expected to draw 15,000 to 20,000 people.
Warren Police Commissioner Bill Dwyer told WWJ's Sandra McNeill said they have teamed up with the Secret Service along with several local law enforcement agencies to make sure the event stays safe for everyone.
"We're prepared, we've worked on these events before," Dywer said. "We have a command center and a command post and all of these tools that we need, as far as equipment and communications, to deal with a crowd as high as 20,000 people."
Dwyer said they've worked on a number of high profile events, including a former Trump rally and a visit from Obama.
Most recently, the police commissioner said Warren police officers stepped up when President Biden visited Michigan prior to winning the presidential election.
"We've got a lot of experience," Dwyer added.
Dwyer said motorists should avoid the area up near the community college through late Saturday due to the large amount of people.
And large crowds means no one law enforcement agency can handle a large event by themselves, not even federal agents.
"The Secret Service are the first ones to tell you that they can't do it alone, that they depend on the support of departments such as Warren, Roseville, the sheriff's departments and the state police," Dywer said.
The Warren rally will bring together all three of the GOP nominees: governor candidate Tudor Dixon, attorney general candidate Matt DePerno and secretary of state candidate Kristina Karamo.
Trump has given his endorsement to Dixon, DePerno and Karamo -- described as the "Michigan Trump Ticket" by event organizers -- who all hope to beat out the Democratic incumbents Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Attorney General Dana Nessel and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson in November.
Doors for the rally opened at 2 p.m. with Trump scheduled to speak at 7 p.m.