The recent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, has reignited discussions about the dangers faced by political figures in the United States and the implications of such violent acts on the nation's democratic fabric.

Trump was shot in the ear by a 20-year-old gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, who opened fire from a rooftop near the rally site. Despite being injured, Trump demonstrated remarkable resilience by standing up and urging the crowd to "fight" before being escorted to safety and later making a swift recovery?.This incident also tragically resulted in the death of Corey Comperatore, a former fire chief who shielded his family from the gunfire?[1]

Historically, attempts on U.S. presidents' lives have had profound effects on the nation's psyche and politics. Abraham Lincoln, James Garfield, William McKinley, and John F. Kennedy were all assassinated while in office, leaving indelible marks on American history. Other presidents, such as Theodore Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan, survived assassination attempts, which often resulted in increased security measures and public sympathy, bolstering their political standing. Moreover, if we look at past assassinations – either successful or not – one would be notice that they, on average, positively contributed to a president’s popularity. It must be said, however, that an increase in popularity does not automatically result in reelection. On October 14, 1912, the then-President Theodore Roosevelt was delivering a speech in Wisconsin when John Flammang Schrank shot him in the chest.[2] Roosevelt, even though injured, continued to speak, famously remarking that he will continue to “try his best.”[3] Nonetheless, as Lindsay Chervinsky, a historian at Southern Methodist University explains, “the assassination attempt increased (his existing) popularity, but not enough to affect the electoral college outcome.”[4] On another example, former President Ronald Reagan also suffered a similar fate as he was shot while exiting the Hilton Hotel in Washington D.C.[5] As per his popularity, it increased by 13 points overnight, then returning to rates much lower than they were before the assassination attempt after two months.[6]

The attempt on Trump’s life underscores the persistent threat of political violence in the U.S. and raises critical questions about security at political events. The Secret Service has come under scrutiny for potential lapses, and there are calls for increased protection for presidential candidates?.[7] Political violence not only endangers lives but also threatens the democratic process by creating an environment of fear and instability.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken labeled the attack as an "attack on our democracy," reflecting the broader consensus that such acts undermine the very foundations of the nation's democratic principles.[8] The repercussions that this event is having, however, is disappointing. As the Republican Convention came to a close in the 18th of July, Trump reflected on the assassination attempt and appealed to a possible divine intervention. He explained that “I stand before you in this arena only by the grace of Almighty God,” which echoed his voters’ sentiments.[9] Pastor Lorenzo Sewell, for example, said that people “’can’t deny de power of God’ in Trump’s life,” adding that Trump must be one of Jesus’ pawns.[10] Even Tucker Carlson, who has privately claimed to hate Trump, added that “something bigger is going on here. I think people who don’t even believe in God are starting to think.”[11]

This shift towards attributing the event to divine intervention and the subsequent glorification of Trump as a near-messianic figure distracts from the gravity of the attack on democracy in several crucial ways. Firstly, it reframes the incident from being a criminal and political threat to an almost religious occurrence. By casting Trump as a figure protected by divine grace, it diminishes the seriousness of the assassination attempt as a direct attack on the nation's democratic institutions and processes. Secondly, this narrative shift diverts attention from the need for a unified stance against such threats. Instead of focusing on the bipartisan condemnation and the strengthening of security measures to protect public officials and democratic integrity, the discourse is hijacked by discussions of divine intervention and religious destiny. This not only undermines the importance of addressing the immediate security concerns but also weakens the collective resolve needed to confront and prevent future threats. In addition, this narrative fuels a divisive and polarizing story that deepens existing rifts within the country. By framing Trump as a chosen instrument of God, his supporters may become even more entrenched in their beliefs, viewing any criticism or opposition as an attack not just on Trump, but on a divine plan. This exacerbates the already fraught political climate, making it more difficult to find common ground or engage in constructive dialogue across political lines.

In conclusion, the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump is a stark reminder of the enduring threat of political violence in the United States and its profound implications for democratic stability. While the incident underscores the urgent need for enhanced security measures and a united response to safeguard the nation's democratic principles, the ensuing narrative has unfortunately shifted towards a polarizing and religious interpretation. This reframing not only diminishes the gravity of the attack but also undermines collective efforts to address the real and pressing threats to democratic integrity. The glorification of Trump as a near-messianic figure distracts from the critical discourse needed to fortify democratic institutions and instead deepens political and ideological divisions, making it even more challenging to foster unity and resilience in the face of such threats.

Iuri M. Piovezan received his Masters of Arts in Political Science from Villanova University and a Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies from Temple University. Currently, he is a J.D. student at Rutgers University.

[1] Greg Norman, et al, “Trump Tells RNC ‘I Am Not Supposed to Be Here’ Following Pennsylvania Rally Assassination Attempt,” Fox News, July 20, 2024, https://www.foxnews.com/live-news/trump-rally-shooting-fbi-investigation-attempted-assassination-july-19.

[2] Brendan Rascius, “Will Trump Assassination Attempt Affect the Election? What Happened After Past Attacks,” Miami Herald, July 16, 2024,  https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article290111019.html.

[3] “When Teddy Roosevelt Was Shot in 1912, a Speech May Have Saved His Life,” History, July 15, 2024, https://www.history.com/news/shot-in-the-chest-100-years-ago-teddy-roosevelt-kept-on-talking.

[4] Rascius, “Trump.”

[5] Ibid.

[6] Mark Mellman, “Political Impacts of Assassination Attempts,” The Hill, July 17, 2024, https://thehill.com/opinion/4776520-assassination-attempt-political-impact/#:~:text=Reagan's bravery and good humor,been before the assassination attempt.

[7] Gram Slattery, et al, “U.S. Secret Service Faces Scrutiny After Trump Shooting,” Star Advertiser, July 14, 2024, https://www.staradvertiser.com/2024/07/14/breaking-news/u-s-secret-service-faces-scrutiny-after-trump-shooting/.

[8] Norman, “Trump.”

[9] Jennifer Shutt, and Ashley Murray, “Trump Describes Assassination Attempt in Speech Accepting GOP Presidential Nomination,” Kansas Reflector, July 19, 2024, https://kansasreflector.com/2024/07/19/trump-describes-assassination-attempt-in-speech-accepting-gop-presidential-nomination/.

[10] Ibid.

[11] Ibid; Summer Concepcion, “Tucker Carlson Backtracks on Private Texts Saying He Hates Trump: ‘I Love Trump',” Fox News, March 22, 2023, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/tucker-carlson-backtracks-private-texts-saying-hates-trump-love-trump-rcna76056.