The Attempted Trump Assassination, July 13, 2024

On July 13, 2024, during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, former US Pres. Donald Trump was the target of an assassination attempt by Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.

Positioned on a rooftop approximately 400 feet from the stage, outside the event's designated security perimeter, Crooks used an AR-15-style rifle purchased by his father to fire up to eight shots in rapid succession beginning around 6:11 pm. Initially aiming his rifle at a law enforcement officer who had attempted to investigate reports of a suspicious person, he then shifted his aim toward the stage, hitting Trump with a bullet that grazed his right ear, causing visible bleeding and a minor injury. Trump's movement at the critical moment, turning to look at a screen and leaning into the microphone, is speculated to have saved his life.

The gunfire resulted in the death of Corey Comperatore, a rally attendee and former volunteer fire chief, and critical injuries to two other attendees, David Dutch and James Copenhaver, who were treated at Allegheny General Hospital. The US Secret Service responded within 30 seconds of the first shot, neutralizing Crooks with a sniper and evacuating Trump from the scene. Despite his injury, Trump briefly signaled reassurance to the crowd with a fist pump and mouthing “fight, fight, fight” before being fully evacuated.

Trump was immediately transported to Butler Memorial Hospital, where he underwent a CT scan and medical evaluation. The examination revealed a 2 cm wide wound on his right ear that did not require sutures. Despite intermittent bleeding, Trump was discharged the same day, with his safety confirmed by his spokesperson by 6:51 pm.

• 6:05 pm EDT - Donald Trump takes the stage at the Butler Farm Show Grounds for his campaign rally.

• 6:08 pm – Thomas Matthew Crooks is seen near a rooftop outside the security perimeter by local law enforcement, but no immediate action is taken.

• 6:11 pm – Crooks opens fire from an unsecured rooftop roughly 400 feet away from Trump’s position. He fires eight shots in two bursts, hitting Trump in the right ear and causing minor injuries. One attendee, Corey Comperatore, is killed while shielding his family, and two others are critically injured.

• 6:12 pm – Secret Service agents respond and fatally shoot Crooks. Trump is quickly escorted off the stage by Secret Service personnel.

• 6:15 pm – Emergency services arrive to tend to the wounded, and Trump is transported to Butler Memorial Hospital for evaluation.

• 6:45 pm – The rally site is secured, and an initial investigation is launched.

• Later that evening – Trump is released from the hospital and returns to his campaign, later appearing at the Republican National Convention with a bandage over his right ear.

The assassination attempt on Donald Trump exposed critical vulnerabilities in security protocols designed to protect high-profile figures.

Multiple lapses allowed Thomas Crooks to breach defenses and position himself for the attack. Crooks used a drone for reconnaissance, taking advantage of a delayed deployment of the Secret Service’s drone-detection system, which left the airspace around the venue unsecured and allowed him to map the area without detection.

Crooks gained access to a rooftop overlooking the stage, highlighting deficiencies in both pre-event security assessments and active monitoring. Despite multiple security checkpoints, he managed to carry an AR-15-style rifle, explosives, and reconnaissance equipment to this location, pointing to gaps in the screening process.

Due to personnel shortages, the rooftop was left unguarded, leaving an unobstructed line of sight to the stage. While police snipers were stationed inside the building, no personnel were assigned to cover the rooftop area, with Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle pointing to safety concerns with the sloped roofs. Additionally, requests for added security were reportedly denied.

Communication failures further complicated the response. Local snipers observed Crooks’ suspicious behavior for over an hour but did not relay their observations to the Secret Service. Key details about his position were not shared through the Secret Service radio network, preventing timely intervention.

Moreover, coordination challenges among the 155 law enforcement personnel—including Secret Service agents and SWAT teams—left several coverage gaps, and reports from eyewitnesses of suspicious activity went unaddressed.

In the days leading up to the incident, Crooks purchased over 50 rounds of ammunition and a ladder — activities that went unnoticed. Just hours before the event, Crooks’ parents reported him missing and voiced concerns, raising further questions about missed warning signs.

Following the assassination attempt on Trump, a range of political responses emerged.

World leaders condemned the attack. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French Pres. Emmanuel Macron, Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz denounced the attack as a threat to democracy. China’s Xi Jinping, Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, and Japan’s Fumio Kishida expressed concern. Russia blamed the Biden administration for fostering a divisive atmosphere but said they did not believe that the US government was behind the attack. Iran rejected claims of involvement after reports that US officials had recently warned of a possible threat against Trump.

In the US, Pres. Joe Biden condemned the attack, calling for unity and a reduction in political tensions, and ordered a security review. He faced criticism for previously referring to Trump as a “bullseye,” with Republicans accusing him of contributing to a hostile political climate. Biden later clarified that he meant it in a political context, not as incitement. Republican leaders, including Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, demanded accountability for security failures. Some conservative figures attributed the attack to escalating political rhetoric, while others called for increased protections for political candidates.

On social media, speculation spread rapidly. Some blamed Democratic rhetoric for fostering violence, while others suggested the attack was staged to boost Trump’s campaign. Debates also emerged over security failures and the adequacy of protections for high-profile political figures.

Following the assassination attempt, the FBI, Secret Service, and Pennsylvania State Police initiated a comprehensive investigation, classifying the incident as an act of domestic terrorism.

Forensic teams collected evidence at the scene, focusing on the AR-15-style rifle used and surveillance footage of Crooks' movements prior to the incident.

Items recovered from Crooks car included a bulletproof vest, loaded magazines, and remote-controlled explosive devices. An additional search of his home uncovered another bulletproof vest, another remote-controlled explosive device and a 3D printer.

Records indicated that Crooks had practiced shooting the day before the incident and purchased ammunition on the day of the attack. The investigation expanded to include Crooks' cellphone and computer, and over 100 interviews were conducted to collect information and eyewitness accounts, including from Trump himself.

Crooks' digital activity showed searches related to political figures and historical assassinations, including “How far away was Oswald from Kennedy?”Authorities issued a public appeal for any additional information or video footage.

A bipartisan House task force consisting of seven Republicans and six Democrats was established to investigate the security lapses and scrutinize the Secret Service's actions to identify areas needing improvement.

Further to these efforts, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas appointed a bipartisan panel to conduct a thorough examination of security protocols.

Additionally, President Joe Biden ordered an independent review of the incident to ensure a comprehensive assessment. Preliminary findings suggested Crooks acted alone with no evidence of ties to larger conspiracies.

The investigation continues to probe Crooks' background for potential motives and any prior criminal activity, with no definitive motive established yet.

In addition to the FBI investigation into the assassination attempt, a Congressional Task Force was established to conduct a parallel inquiry and propose reforms.

The House task force released its final 180-page report on Dec. 10, 2024. Led by Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) and consisting of seven Republicans and six Democrats, the panel conducted 46 interviews with federal, state, and local law enforcement officials, reviewed 18K pages of documents, and visited the incident site.

The report concluded that the event was preventable, citing a series of security failures such as poor coordination between local law enforcement and the US Secret Service, inadequate planning, and the lack of a unified command center during the event.

To address these lapses, the task force made around three dozen recommendations, including reducing the number of individuals protected during campaign seasons, reevaluating the Secret Service’s role in investigating fraud and financial crimes, and improving communication protocols between federal and local agencies.

The report also called for increased funding for training and technology, the creation of a centralized threat-tracking database, and the establishment of an oversight committee to regularly review security measures for high-profile figures.

Secret Service Acting Director Ronald Rowe acknowledged the agency's "abject failure" in the July shooting and outlined subsequent changes.

The task force urged congressional committees to further investigate the shooter’s motivations, which remain largely unknown, aiming to strengthen security protocols for protecting high-profile individuals in the US.

Following the assassination attempt on Trump, deemed the most severe security failure in four decades, the Secret Service implemented new security measures aimed at addressing vulnerabilities and enhancing protection for high-profile figures during public events.

Large vehicles and banners are now used at outdoor events to obstruct lines of sight, preventing attacks from elevated positions. Bulletproof glass has become standard at outdoor gatherings.

A shift toward hosting more events indoors has also allowed for better control over security conditions. The Secret Service has expanded security perimeters, creating a larger buffer zone between crowds and protected individuals.

Additional personnel have been deployed to strengthen security presence and improve response capabilities. Experts have also recommended the use of aerial surveillance at outdoor events to monitor potential threats from elevated positions.

Various institutional and legislative actions were also taken in response. In addition to the Congressional task force set up and bipartisan review panel appointed by Alejandro Mayorka, Congress also passed legislation requiring that major presidential candidates receive protection similar to that of sitting presidents and vice presidents.

In addition, leadership changes followed at the Secret Service. Although Director Kimberly Cheatle initially stated she would not resign, maintaining support from the administration, she ultimately stepped down as scrutiny over the security lapses increased.

Acting Director Ronald Rowe has since focused on addressing the identified issues within the agency. Long-term adjustments include a reassessment of the Secret Service’s protective strategies to adapt to current threats. This involves increasing personnel, upgrading technical assets, and modernizing equipment. The incident has also led to a reevaluation of resource allocation.