On July 13, 2024, during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, an assassination attempt was made on former President Donald Trump. Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old from Pennsylvania, fired multiple shots at Trump, hitting him in the ear. Trump was taken to a medical facility and later discharged in stable condition. Crooks was shot dead by a U.S. Secret Service sniper. One bystander was killed, and two others were critically injured. The FBI is leading the investigation, but no motive has been identified. Political leaders, including President Joe Biden, condemned the attack.
The Incident
The rally had just begun when shots rang out. Trump grabbed his right ear and dropped to his knees behind the podium before Secret Service agents swarmed him. He emerged about a minute later, his face streaked with blood, and was heard saying, “Fight! Fight! Fight!” Trump later posted on his Truth Social platform, “I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. Much bleeding took place.”
Security Concerns
The attack raised questions about security failures by the Secret Service, which provides lifetime protection to former presidents. The shots appeared to come from outside the area secured by the Secret Service. Former Secret Service agent Jonathan Wackrow emphasized the need for reassessment of protocols to prevent future threats.
Political Reactions
Political leaders from both parties quickly condemned the violence. Biden stated, “There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it.” Former President Barack Obama also condemned the attack, emphasizing the need for civility and respect in politics. International leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, expressed their shock and condemnation.
Witness Accounts
Ron Moose, a Trump supporter at the rally, reported hearing about four shots and seeing the crowd go down before Trump ducked. He described the swift action of the Secret Service in protecting Trump. The BBC interviewed an eyewitness who saw a man armed with a rifle crawling up a roof near the event. This witness and others tried to alert security by pointing at the man.
Historical Context
This incident joins a history of assassination attempts on U.S. presidents. Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981 by John Hinckley Jr. outside the Washington Hilton Hotel. Richard Nixon faced an assassination attempt in 1972 by Arthur Bremer. John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963 by Lee Harvey Oswald. Theodore Roosevelt was shot in 1912 while campaigning for the presidency. Franklin D. Roosevelt survived an assassination attempt in 1933 by Giuseppe Zangara. Harry S. Truman faced an attempt on his life in 1950 by Oscar Collazo and Griselio Torresola. Gerald Ford was the target of two assassination attempts in 1975 by Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme and Sara Jane Moore.
Impact on the Election
The shooting occurred less than four months before the November 5 election, when Trump faces an election rematch with Democratic President Joe Biden. Most opinion polls, including those by Reuters/Ipsos, show the two locked in a close contest. Leading Republicans and Democrats quickly condemned the violence. The Trump campaign stated he was “doing well.” Biden said in a statement, “There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it.” Republican U.S. Representative Ronny Jackson of Texas told Fox News his nephew had been wounded at the rally.
Future Implications
The shooting raised immediate questions about security failures by the Secret Service. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said Trump left the Butler area under the protection of the U.S. Secret Service with the assistance of the Pennsylvania State Police. Republican U.S. Representative Daniel Meuser told CNN Trump was headed to Bedminster, New Jersey, where he has a golf club.
The assassination attempt on Donald Trump at the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, has heightened concerns about political violence and security measures. The FBI continues to investigate the motive behind the attack, while political leaders across the spectrum condemn the violence and call for unity and civility in the political arena.
