On Sunday, former US President Donald Trump was shot during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. A bullet passed through Trump’s right ear, resulting in one death and two injuries. The attack, considered a major security lapse, is under investigation by US agencies. The FBI has held 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks responsible for the shooting. Officials say Crooks was killed on the spot. This incident is not unique in American political history; several US presidents have faced attacks, some fatal and some non-fatal. This article delves into the history of such attacks, from Abraham Lincoln to Donald Trump.
Presidents Who Lost Their Lives in Attacks
- John F. Kennedy (1963)
John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, was assassinated on November 22, 1963. During a visit to Dallas, Texas, Kennedy was shot while traveling in an open car. Clint Hill, an intelligence service employee in the car, noted significant opposition to Kennedy’s policies, but no immediate security threats had been reported. Lee Harvey Oswald, a former Navy man and self-proclaimed Marxist, was arrested for Kennedy’s murder. Oswald had traveled to the Soviet Union in 1959 and stayed until 1962, working in a radio and TV factory in Minsk. The Warren Commission reported that Oswald fired the fatal shot from the Texas School Book Depository Building. However, Oswald was killed two days later, and theories about multiple shooters and alternative firing directions persist. The paraffin test on Oswald’s cheeks, which indicated he had not fired a gun, further fueled doubts about his sole culpability. - Abraham Lincoln (1865)
Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, was assassinated on April 15, 1865, at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. Lincoln’s strong opposition to slavery and his election campaign promises led to fears in the southern states that he would abolish slavery. This fear prompted seven southern states to form their own federation, later joined by four more states, collectively known as the Confederacy. The American Civil War, which began in 1861, ended with the Confederacy’s surrender on April 9, 1865. A week later, Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth, a Confederate sympathizer. Booth’s assassination of Lincoln was an effort to revive the Confederate cause, but it ultimately failed, marking a tragic end to Lincoln’s presidency. - William McKinley (1901)
William McKinley, the 25th President of the United States, served from March 4, 1897, until his assassination on September 14, 1901. Under McKinley’s leadership, the US emerged victorious in the Spanish-American War, gaining control of the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico. During a public appearance at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York, McKinley was shot twice by Leon Czolgosz, an anarchist. McKinley succumbed to his injuries eight days later. Czolgosz justified his actions by stating his belief that no one person should have so much power while others had none. - James A. Garfield (1881)
James A. Garfield, the 20th President of the United States, was born in Ohio in 1831. On July 2, 1881, Garfield was shot by Charles J. Guiteau outside a railroad station in Washington, D.C. Despite immediate medical attention, Garfield remained critically ill for weeks and died on September 19, 1881, due to complications from his wounds. Guiteau, who had been denied a political appointment by Garfield, believed he was acting on divine orders. His delusions and anger over his perceived injustices led him to commit the assassination.
Presidents Who Narrowly Escaped Assassination
- Ronald Reagan (1981)
Ronald Reagan, the 40th President of the United States, is credited with playing a significant role in the fall of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War. Born on February 6, 1911, in Tampico, Illinois, Reagan was a Hollywood actor before entering politics. - On March 30, 1981, just 69 days into his presidency, Reagan was shot outside the Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C. The assailant, John Hinckley Jr., was attempting to impress actress Jodie Foster. Despite being critically injured, Reagan survived, and three others were also wounded in the attack.
- Theodore Roosevelt (1912)
Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States, was born on October 27, 1858, in New York. A leader of the Republican Party, Roosevelt served as Governor of New York and Vice President before assuming the presidency after McKinley’s assassination in 1901. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1906 for his role in ending the Russo-Japanese War. On October 14, 1912, during a campaign event in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Roosevelt was shot in the chest by William F. Schrank, a fanatic who opposed Roosevelt’s progressive policies. Remarkably, Roosevelt delivered his speech before seeking medical attention and made a full recovery. - The Latest Incident: Donald Trump (2024)
On July 14, 2024, former President Donald Trump was shot during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. A bullet passed through Trump’s right ear, leaving blood marks on his face. The attacker, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was killed on the spot by security agencies. Crooks, who worked in a local nursing home kitchen, used a rifle owned by his father. The attack on Trump underscores ongoing security challenges faced by US presidents and highlights the vulnerabilities of public figures. The FBI’s investigation into the incident aims to uncover the motivations behind Crooks’ actions and prevent future occurrences.
The history of attacks on American presidents reflects the volatile nature of political life in the United States. From Abraham Lincoln’s assassination in 1865 to the recent attack on Donald Trump, these incidents underscore the risks associated with public office. While some presidents, like Ronald Reagan and Theodore Roosevelt, narrowly escaped death, others, including John F. Kennedy, Abraham Lincoln, William McKinley, and James A. Garfield, were not as fortunate.
These events have shaped the nation’s security protocols and highlighted the importance of vigilance in protecting its leaders. As investigations into the latest attack on Donald Trump continue, the lessons from history remind us of the persistent threats and the need for robust security measures to safeguard those who serve in the highest office.
