Former President Trump is headed to Tuscaloosa, Ala., for the University of Alabama’s football game against the University of Georgia on Saturday.
The University of Alabama confirmed Monday that Trump plans to attend the game, which kicks off at 7:30 p.m. EDT, after “receiving an invitation from a private citizen.”
“The safety of our campus is and will remain our top priority, and UAPD will work closely with the U.S. Secret Service and other law enforcement partners to coordinate security,” the university said in a statement to The Hill.
A source familiar confirmed Trump will be at the game and will sit with Republican officials. Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) is headlining an event in Birmingham on Friday that is hosted by Alabama Sen. Katie Britt (R).
The University of Alabama said walk-through metal detectors will be in place and a clear bag policy will be strictly enforced, “like for every UA football game.”
“Additional safety measures will be enacted in collaboration with local and federal agencies, so fans are encouraged to arrive early to expedite the security screening process,” the university said.
Trump’s visit for the game comes shortly after an apparent assassination attempt at his Florida golf course, which is just a few months after a bullet grazed his ear at a rally in July. He has called for increased security in the lead-up to the election, and the Secret Service has said it will bolster security for future golf outings.
The university said its focus is to ensure a “safe and positive gameday experience for all the student-athletes, fans of both teams, and all campus visitors.”
This will be Trump’s third time attending a Crimson Tide football game. He was at Alabama’s 2018 national title win against Georgia and left during halftime. In 2019, he watched the team lose to Louisiana State University.
It also will be the sixth time, including Trump’s appearances, that a sitting president, president-elect or presidential candidate attended an Alabama football game, the Anniston Star reported.
The Hill has reached out to the Trump campaign for comment.
