On a quiet September day in 2024, the United States was shaken by unsettling news: former President Donald Trump narrowly escaped another attempt on his life. This was the second such incident in recent months, reigniting conversations about the dangers that come with holding the nation’s highest office.
While alarming, the incident is not without precedent. In fact, it fits into a long and sobering tradition in American history. From Abraham Lincoln in the 19th century to recent attempts on living leaders, U.S. presidents have frequently been targets of violence. Understanding why these events occur requires examining history, psychology, politics, and the symbolic weight of the presidency itself.
