DES MOINES, Iowa — On Saturday, July 13, Jeff Kaufmann just got done speaking at an event talking about former President Donald Trump, when he heard the news about what local law enforcement said was an attempted assassination on Trump.
“I’ve been describing it to people as surreal, it was a unique environment that I was in a room just having talked about President Trump and then we’re all learning this together," said Jeff Kaufmann, Chairman of Iowa's Republican Party.
Now, Kaufmann will be the one to introduce Trump at the Republican National Convention on Monday. Trump is expected to accept the Republican Party nomination.
This will be Trump's first speaking appearance after the rally shooting.
“I think it’s going to be earth shattering when he first enters that room," Kaufmann said.
Kaufmann arrived to the RNC on Sunday. He says he saw around 40 state police cars and had to go through multiple check points to get inside.
But despite the nature of the situation, Kaufmann said he will not be changing anything in his speech.
“This is about the political process and not allowing one warped kid to deter us from what both parties agree is a critical, critical step in the process, and that is coming together at a convention and unifying," Kaufmann said.
Kaufmann said there are moments in this time in history where politicians from both sides of the aisle are coming together, something everyone can take away from this.
Local 5 asked Kaufmann what it means to be the one to introduce Trump just after the rally shooting, and Kaufmann said his reaction will be in the moment.
“To be talking to this crowd that is so full of emotion, you know what, I don’t know what I’m gonna think, but I know I’m going to be biting my lip to make sure I get through the speech, I can tell you that," Kaufmann said. "I’m not usually a person that is particularly emotional, but I think it’s going to be a unique, human experience tomorrow. Before it was going to be a political experience, I think it’s going to be a human experience.”
The RNC will begin on July 15 and go through July 18 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.