Trump is set to hold a midterm election rally on Oct. 2 at the University of South Alabama's Mitchell Center. Burch said in a statement Monday that his agency is coordinating with federal partners and closely watching social media posts that could signal violence against Trump, members of the public, event participants or law enforcement.
Burch made clear that free speech isn't the target. "People have every right to express their opinions, whether they support the President, oppose him or simply want to peacefully protest," he said in the statement.
Law enforcement is drawing a distinction between voicing an opinion and making a threat, and Burch's office says it's watching for the difference in real time. That puts extra scrutiny on anyone posting about the rally online, whether they're supporters, opponents or bystanders.
The sheriff's approach shows how closely local law enforcement is watching online chatter before a high-profile political event even starts, treating Facebook and X posts as part of the security plan for a presidential rally.