Attempted assassination of Donald Trump in Pennsylvania

On July 13, 2024, an attempted assassination of Donald Trump occurred during a campaign rally near Butler, Pennsylvania. The assailant, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, opened fire with an AR-15-style rifle from the roof of a nearby building, hitting Trump in the upper right ear and resulting in the death of one audience member while critically injuring two others. The Secret Service's Counter Sniper Team responded swiftly, killing Crooks at the scene.

This incident has been labeled the most significant security failure of the Secret Service since the attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan in 1981. Following the event, there were widespread calls for the resignation of the Secret Service Director, Kimberly Cheatle, who ultimately stepped down after testifying before Congress. In response to the incident, President Joe Biden ordered an independent review of security procedures and condemned the violence, urging for a reduction in heated political rhetoric.

The aftermath of the shooting saw a surge of misinformation and conspiracy theories on social media, prompting lawmakers to advocate for increased security measures for major candidates ahead of the 2024 elections. Consequently, the Secret Service implemented enhanced security protocols, including the use of bulletproof glass at Trump's outdoor rallies.

The shooting happened just two days before the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where Trump made his first public appearance post-incident, wearing a bandage on his ear. Prior to the attack, the Secret Service had already bolstered Trump's security due to intelligence suggesting a plot against him by Iran, although Iranian officials denied any such intentions.

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