As the 2024 election approaches, the assassination attempts on former President Donald Trump have caused political conflict, leading to nationwide debates on security, partisanship, and the boundaries of political dissent.
Two, possibly three assassination attempts on Trump have occurred over the past three to four months. The most notable attempt occurred on July 13th, 2024, during one of his campaign rallies in Butler, Pennsylvania, where gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks open fired, injuring Trump and two others, and killing one attendee. Then on Sept. 15th, 2024, at Trump’s International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, suspect Ryan Routh was apprehended with a rifle near the property. And on Oct. 13th, 2024, a man was arrested for illegally carrying fully loaded firearms with several passport identities at Trump’s Coachella rally.
“Assassination attempts and political violence create feelings of fear and instability within the political system,” Social Science and Global Studies teacher Ryan Girard said. “Any time there is a breach of security it requires the government organizations involved to operate at a heightened level of security and to investigate the cause of the breach to ensure the issue does not persist.”
An overview of the attempt at Pennsylvania was a near-death experience for Trump and unfortunately resulted in the death of an innocent attendee. During moments when Trump was discussing immigration issues, he looked right at an illegal immigration chart seconds before sustaining minor injuries from a would-be assassin, Thomas Matthew Crooks.
“I saw the reports online on how close the projectile was to nearly hitting his (Trump’s) brain by a few inches,” senior Mikhail Ibrahim said. “Trump was close to death, the chances of the shooter missing were very slim and it was very lucky that Trump survived.”
Crooks was shot instantly and killed on sight by the Secret Service after they determined his position. Brief moments afterward, the former president rose and shoved his fist in the air toward the crowd before being escorted to safety.
“Trump’s response showed his followers he was alright and his reaction increased his followers’ respect for him,” senior Alex Weisman said. “This event affects his political image by showing people he won’t back down and is determined to win this election.”
The nation was disturbed and overwhelmed by this serious incident, and it shocked both political parties and the media. The concern for Trump’s safety was widespread, and reports were demanded related to his injury. Discussions on this incident have brought curiosity to America’s citizens and even young voters and teachers at Champe on whether it has affected the course of 2024’s election, bringing attention to the question, “What are the possibilities that these incidents could impact voter decisions and change levels of support for Trump?”
“As a student and American citizen that can vote, the violence that has been involved with these incidents is tragic,” Ibrahim said. “I get that everyone has different political views and may disagree with the values and decisions that political leaders make, but no one should disagree so much to the point where they want to harm that political leader.”
The second alleged attempt at Trump’s golf club brings more curiosity to America’s citizens as to why there was another attempt. This time, the Secret Service caught suspect Ryan Routh after an agent spotted a rifle poking out from a tree while Trump was golfing. Fortunately, no shots were fired at Trump and Routh left behind an AK-47 rifle, a handheld camera, and other supplies after trying to flee away.
“Issues such as these put political violence at the forefront of American political discourse,” Girard said. “Political violence is not a characteristic of a democratic regime, so as a nation, we must find ways to express our viewpoints and have civil discussions without becoming violent.”
Prosecutors also discovered that Routh had written an assassination letter months prior to the incident stating, “This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump but I failed you,” and expressing, “I tried my best and gave it all the gumption I could muster.” In the letter, he also offered $150,000 to anyone who would carry out the act.
“The assassination letter is alarming because it reveals the extreme lengths some individuals will go to in pursuit of their beliefs,” Weisman said. “It raises serious concerns about political violence and the potential risks that come with intense political division in society.”
Then on Oct. 13, 2024, a 49-year-old man, now identified as Vem Miller, was arrested for attempting what could have possibly been a third assassination at Trump’s rally in Coachella, California. Miller was apprehended by deputies during a security checkpoint where illegal fully loaded firearms and multiple passport identities were found in his black SUV, which also had a fake license plate and registration according to the sheriff’s report. He was released the same day for a $5,000 bail.
“The arrest of this guy (Miller) shows that threats to political leaders are still a serious issue,” sophomore Ibrahim Popal said. “It highlights the need for better security at events to prevent potential attacks.”
The fears of political violence and public concerns about the safety and security of political leaders have risen as a result of these incidents. The life threatening experiences Trump has faced prompts national security and the Secret Service to take further security measures to ensure the safety of political leaders.
“These assassination attempts have made people, especially the citizens of the United States, to become more worried about political violence,” Popal said. “I just hope that there will be no more violence like these incidents as we come down to the last days of the election.”
