On July 13, 2024, former United States (U.S.) President, Donald Trump, attended a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Trump addressed his supporters on the issue of immigration, which has been a big speaking point of his campaign, when a series of gunshots were fired. The presidential candidate was shot in his right ear, taking cover seconds later when the Secret Service moved in. One civilian attendee, Corey Comperatore, a firefighter and father of two, died after being shot by a stray bullet. Comperatore was reportedly shielding his family from the open fire.
Two other men were also injured at the rally shooting. David Dutch, 57, a Marine Corps veteran, and James Copenhaver, 74, a registered democrat, are both in recovery. Members of opposing parties made a united stance against violence as a true, undeniable threat to democracy. President Biden emphasized that everyone must condemn the attack: “There is no place in America for this type of violence.” Vice President Harris also commented, stating, “We must all condemn this abhorrent act and do our part to ensure that it does not lead to more violence.”
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell described the attack as despicable. “Violence has no place in our politics,” he said. Foreign offices, such as the recently elected British Prime Minister Keir Stamer, condemned “all forms of political violence in the strongest terms.”
Rhetoric was brought into question regarding a comment made by President Biden at a Detroit rally, where he said, “…it’s time to put Trump in a bullseye.” Many Republicans consider the comment an incitement of violence. In an interview with NBC News, the President retracted his statement, claiming it was a mistake.
The attempted assassination of former President and Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump, captivated the Western world. Four U.S. presidents have been assassinated since the founding of the U.S., and over 10 assassination attempts have taken place on various presidents and presidential candidates throughout U.S. history.
Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle was subpoenaed by the Republican chairman of the House, and on July 22, 2024, she appeared before the House committee. Cheatle was grilled by lawmakers on both sides, and acknowledged that there were in fact massive issues on the day of the rally, admitting that the Secret Service had been notified about five times that there was suspicion in the area. Cheatle called the events of July 13, “The most significant operational failure at the Secret Service in decades.” Cheatle stepped down from her position as director after a widespread call for her resignation.
