Former President Donald Trump, the Republican candidate, was shot and had a bullet pierce his ear during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday evening, July 13, 2024.
On a fateful evening in Butler, Pennsylvania, former President Donald Trump, the Republican candidate, faced a harrowing ordeal when he was shot during a campaign rally. The bullet pierced his ear, leaving him with blood on his face as Secret Service agents swiftly escorted him off the stage.
The shocking incident occurred on Saturday, July 13, 2024, sending shockwaves through the nation. Trump had only been speaking for a few minutes when the gunman, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, fired at him from a nearby building.
Trump Shot During Pennsylvania Rally Amidst Assassination Attempt
Witnesses reported that rally attendees had alerted local police and created a commotion to draw the attention of the Secret Service. However, the gunman managed to evade detection until the moment he struck.
Secret Service agents immediately surrounded Trump and whisked him away from the danger zone. Guglielmi, a Secret Service spokesman, stated that protective measures had been implemented and the former President was safe. The investigation is ongoing, and further information will be released as it becomes available.
Trump Shot During Pennsylvania Rally Amidst Assassination Attempt
The Secret Service's protocol for presidential protection has evolved over time, following the tragic assassinations of President William McKinley and President John F. Kennedy. The agency's website notes that the mission dates back to 1901 and has expanded significantly in response to changing threat levels.
After JFK's assassination, President Lyndon B. Johnson established the Warren Commission, which concluded that future presidents should have the opportunity to interact with constituents while still being protected. This led to the creation of new inspection techniques and the deployment of armored vehicles and motorcades.
Trump Shot During Pennsylvania Rally Amidst Assassination Attempt
The Secret Service is responsible for protecting the President, the First Family, and other designated individuals. While there were no errors found in the agency's response to JFK's assassination, it was understaffed and underfunded. Subsequently, funding was increased, leading to the acquisition of heavily armored vehicles and motorcades.
In recognition of the potential threats faced by major presidential and vice presidential candidates, the Secret Service provides protection within 120 days of an election. However, Colorado Governor Jared Polis has urged President Biden to provide independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. with Secret Service detail immediately following the assassination attempt on Trump.
Presently, the Secret Service employs over 7,000 personnel, including special agents, uniformed division officers, and other professionals. The agency remains dedicated to its mission of protecting those who serve the nation.
