Tuscaloosa Democrats Call Trump Visit 'A Political Stunt,' Danger To Public Safety

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The Tuscaloosa County Democratic Party on Friday released a statement condemning former president Donald Trump's visit to Tuscaloosa on Saturday to attend Alabama's home football game against Georgia.

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Referring to the visit as a "political stunt," the local branch of the party said it believes most Tuscaloosa residents would prefer to enjoy the game without political interference and also pointed out that the visit comes after U.S. Secret Service has already confronted two separate assassination attempts on the life of the Republican nominee for president.

"At what is undoubtedly being turned into a campaign event for his own benefit, the resources of the University of Alabama and of Tuscaloosa are being further taxed at a time when tens of thousands of people will already descend upon the city," the party said in its official statement. "This requires logistical expertise even without Trump's presence due to it being the biggest day of the year for the Alabama football program."

Tuscaloosa County Democrats went on to criticize the short notice ahead of the confirmation of the visit last week, which party leaders say forced UA to "scramble together a huge security operation now underway to ensure the campus is safe not only for the 78-year-old Republican nominee, but also those attending the game."

As Patch previously reported on Thursday, UA Athletics has already cautioned attendees to arrive well in advance of kickoff due to heightened security measures in place.

The visit marks the third time the former president has attended an Alabama football game and Saturday will be the second time he has been a guest in Bryant-Denny Stadium. His last visit game during Alabama's high-profile 2019 matchup against eventual national champion LSU.

Trump will be attending the game along with Republican U.S. Sen. Katie Britt and her husband, former Crimson Tide offensive lineman Wesley Britt.

“Wesley and I are excited to host President Trump and Sen. Steve Daines (R-Montana) in Tuscaloosa this Saturday,” Britt told Alabama Daily News this week. “It should be a tremendous game against Georgia, and we know Alabama will give President Trump a warm welcome once again. Roll Tide."

Apart from the logistics in the stadium, local Democrats also worry about the situation outside of Bryant-Denny, pointing to inevitable divisions, potential political clashes and the presence of protesters.

This comes as students plan to gather on the Quad to protest Trump's visit.

"Trump’s appearance is only a political stunt for his own benefit," Tuscaloosa Democrats said. "But it will do nothing to convince voters that his extreme ideas are the right ones for America."

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