Donald Trump arrived in Columbus on Saturday

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COLUMBUS, Ga. (WTVM) – Coming up this Friday, Georgias Republican party is kicking off, heading to Fountain City for the annual GOP convention. Thousands of Peach State delegates and alternates will be in Columbus… along with several high-profile politicians, including former president/ 2024 presidential candidate Donald Trump.

Trump was told to arrive at the Columbus Convention and Trade Center around 2:00 Saturday, then spend two hours talking with Georgia State leaders.

News Leader 9s Ashlee Williams spoke with the Columbus Airport Director and a local host/ Georgia Caucus Chairman for the convention who both say this is a great opportunity to put Columbus back on the map.

There are a lot of good people and a lot of great opportunities and a lot of national exposure for Columbus, Georgia that we don’t get very often, said Alton Russell, Georgia Caucus Chairman.

Each year, Georgias Republican delegates and alternates meet for a private convention, all to hear from the top political candidates before the next year’s election.

Former President Donald Trump headlined the Georgia state Republican Convention on Saturday, and security was a major concern for many.

Everyone must be safe and secure for this operation, Russell said. Our sheriffs department and police department work together, so I think it’s going to be a big plus for everybody.

As for where Trump will be flying, Columbus Airport Director Amber Clark explained that a temporary flight restriction was put in place on Saturday, but that incoming and outgoing flights scheduled for that day will not be affected.

I cannot confirm or deny who will enter the airport. What I can confirm is that we have a temporary flight restriction that will take place on Saturday, which means that public flights will be restricted from entering the airport.

In Uptown, steps were taken to secure areas near the Trade Center entrance.

I understand there won’t be any protesters specifically right in front of the Civic Center or the iron works center, Russell said. Security will be a factor, but I think we’ll be fine.

Russell said the secret service is ultimately in charge of Trump’s safety and plans could change abruptly if that security is breached.

Other convention speakers include Asa Hutchinson, Nikki Lake from Arizona, another presidential candidate, Vivek Ramaswamy, lieutenant governor of Georgia and many others.

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