Historic attacks on American presidents, candidates

By Graphic News

Throughout US history, several presidents and political candidates have been the target of assassination attempts, sometimes resulting in death.

These violent acts have left indelible marks on the nation’s political landscape, shaping the course of history. The apparent assassination attempts on former President Donald Trump in July and September 2024 are the most recent additions to this tragic legacy, reminding the world of the dangers that political figures face in a polarized society.

Below is a look at the most notable attacks on US presidents and candidates, many of which have shocked the world and altered the fabric of American politics.

September 2024: Donald Trump – West Palm Beach, Florida

In the most recent incident, a man named Ryan Routh lay in wait to ambush former President Donald Trump in West Palm Beach, Florida. According to reports, Routh had carefully planned to shoot Trump but was spotted and apprehended by the Secret Service before he could carry out the attack. This assassination attempt marks the second time in just a few months that Trump has faced such a life-threatening situation, illustrating the intense danger surrounding prominent political figures in today’s divided political climate.

July 2024: Donald Trump – Butler, Pennsylvania

In an earlier attempt on Trump’s life, Thomas Crooks managed to shoot the former president in the ear during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The attack sent shockwaves across the nation, as Crooks was swiftly killed by the Secret Service before he could fire more shots. Trump survived the incident, but the severity of the attack underscored the vulnerability of even the well-guarded political figures. The high-profile nature of the event has reignited discussions about the escalating political violence in the United States.

June 2016: Donald Trump – Las Vegas, Nevada

Before his presidency, during the 2016 election campaign, Donald Trump was also the target of an assassination attempt in Las Vegas. Michael Sandford, a British national, attempted to grab a police officer's gun to kill Trump during a rally. Sandford’s plot was foiled, and he was arrested and later sentenced to prison. This incident, combined with the 2024 attacks, highlights the persistent threats Trump has faced throughout his political career.

March 1981: Ronald Reagan – Washington

The assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan on March 30, 1981, is one of the most famous in US history. John Hinckley Jr. fired six shots at Reagan as he left a hotel in Washington, hitting the president and three others, including press secretary James Brady, who was permanently disabled by the shooting. Reagan was severely wounded but survived the attack, later making a remarkable recovery. The incident, which also injured a police officer and a Secret Service agent, led to significant changes in US security protocols for protecting presidents.

September 1975: Gerald Ford – San Francisco and Sacramento, California

President Gerald Ford narrowly escaped two assassination attempts in September 1975, within the span of just a few weeks. In the first attempt, on September 5 in Sacramento, Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme, a follower of the infamous cult leader Charles Manson, tried to shoot Ford with a .45 caliber pistol. However, her gun misfired, and Ford’s life was spared.

Seventeen days later, on September 22, Ford again faced an assassination attempt, this time in San Francisco. Sara Jane Moore, a left-wing radical, fired a shot at the president, narrowly missing his head. A bystander quickly subdued Moore, preventing her from firing another shot. These two attacks on Ford highlighted the tumultuous political atmosphere of the 1970s and raised concerns about presidential security during public appearances.

June 1968: Robert F. Kennedy – Los Angeles, California

The assassination of Robert F. Kennedy, younger brother of President John F. Kennedy, remains one of the most tragic events in US political history. On June 5, 1968, as Kennedy campaigned for the Democratic presidential nomination, he was shot and killed by Sirhan Sirhan, a Palestinian nationalist, in the kitchen of the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. Kennedy’s death came just five years after his brother’s assassination and deeply shocked the nation, extinguishing hopes for what many believed would be another promising presidency. His death also led to increased protection for presidential candidates.

November 1963: John F. Kennedy – Dallas, Texas

The assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963, remains one of the most notorious political assassinations in world history. Kennedy was shot while riding in a motorcade in Dallas, Texas, by Lee Harvey Oswald, who fired from a nearby building. The young president’s death sent the nation into mourning and left a lasting impact on US politics. Oswald was captured later that day but was killed two days later by nightclub owner Jack Ruby while being transferred to a different jail, further fueling conspiracy theories surrounding the assassination.

October 1912: Theodore Roosevelt – Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Theodore Roosevelt, one of America’s most beloved presidents, survived an assassination attempt while campaigning for a third term as president in 1912. John Schrank, a mentally disturbed man who opposed Roosevelt’s candidacy, shot him in the chest during a campaign stop in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Remarkably, the bullet was slowed by a folded speech and a metal glasses case in Roosevelt’s jacket pocket, allowing him to survive the attack. Despite being shot, Roosevelt continued to deliver his scheduled speech before seeking medical attention, showcasing his legendary toughness.

September 1901: William McKinley – Buffalo, New York

President William McKinley was not as fortunate as Roosevelt. On September 6, 1901, McKinley was shot twice by anarchist Leon Czolgosz while attending a public event in Buffalo, New York. McKinley initially survived the shooting but died eight days later from gangrene caused by his wounds. Vice President Theodore Roosevelt was sworn in as president following McKinley’s death, leading to a new era in US politics. McKinley’s assassination prompted widespread debate about anarchism and led to increased measures to protect public officials.

July 1881: James Garfield – Washington, D.C.

President James A. Garfield was shot by Charles Guiteau, a disgruntled office seeker, on July 2, 1881, just months after taking office. Garfield initially survived the attack, but after months of suffering from infection and inadequate medical care, he succumbed to his wounds on September 19, 1881. Garfield’s assassination led to calls for civil service reform and played a key role in the eventual passage of the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act, which aimed to reduce corruption in government hiring.

April 1865: Abraham Lincoln – Washington, D.C.

Perhaps the most famous political assassination in American history is the killing of President Abraham Lincoln on April 14, 1865. Lincoln was shot by actor and Confederate sympathizer John Wilkes Booth while attending a play at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C., just days after the end of the Civil War. Lincoln’s death plunged the nation into mourning and had a profound impact on the post-war reconstruction era. Booth was killed by Union soldiers after a two-week manhunt.