DODGE CENTER, Minn. – A Secret Service detail pulled out of its tactical headquarters for a Trump campaign rally that had been shifted overnight from Rochester to Dodge Center. . JJ Francis, owner of Sominn Machinery Sales, said he had agreed to his building being used for rally preparation. Phone lines and equipment were being installed, then suddenly, Francis said, he was told the rally was moving back to Rochester. “The Secret Service took all of their stuff out of my building and said they were following the governor’s mandate,” he said. Apparently it was a reference to pressure from Attorney General Keith Ellison to comport with state COVID crowd limits. Francis quoted a Secret Service agent: “We can’t do it. It’s going to be in Rochester for 200 people.” Francis said he called the governor’s office to find out what was going on. They didn’t know, he said. Francis was disgusted: “Ridiculous.”
