Echoes of Violence: The dark legacy of assassination bids in US politics

During one of the most tense periods in its modern history, a nation already deeply estranged was shaken by the attempted assassination of Donald Trump. According to CNN, this event marks a dark, new chapter in America’s troubled story of political violence. An attempt to harm a former president during a campaign event right before he accepted the Republican nomination is, without a doubt, an assault on democracy.

The expected ‘Grand Old Party’ candidate—GOP being a nickname of the Republican Party in the US—stood on stage with his usual crowd of supporters behind him, holding signs and wearing their ‘Make America Great Again’ (MAGA) gear—merchandise or clothing that displays the acronym—when sudden gunshots were fired. ‘Make America Great Again’, was Trump's rallying cry during his 2016 presidential campaign.

The former president shared that he could feel a bullet piercing his ear, causing it to bleed profusely as he was promptly taken away from the area. Gunshots were fired by an assailant positioned on a roof outside the boundary of his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, narrowly avoiding a much more devastating outcome.

A powerful image captured by Evan Vucci of Associated Press depicted a determined—yet unharmed—Trump, blood visible on his ear and cheek, as he was swiftly escorted away from the stage by Secret Service agents. In the background, a raised fist and an American flag added to the resonance of the photograph, instantly making it an iconic representation of the incident.

The photo will be remembered as a powerful symbol of a chaotic political era, despite the unclear political consequences of a once peaceful afternoon that turned into a frightening nightmare.

Joseph Meyn, a supporter at the rally, saw the former president fall and noticed, from the corner of his eye, the man who was hit and killed. Despite being shocked by what he had witnessed, he eloquently told CNN that the attack was the sign of a nation overwhelmed by political anger.

“Everyone seems very angry, and it feels like there are a lot of angry people out there,” he told CNN. He added that he was not surprised that this should happen, but that it should have happened right next to him was “shocking”. He said he believed political discussions should not reach a boiling point for incidents like this to become the new normal. He went on to mention the assassination of John F Kennedy, Robert F Kennedy, Martin Luther King, and on the attempt on Ronald Reagan’s life before the current bid on Trump’s life. Politics should not be an arena where someone gains all, or loses all, he said.

The Unsettling Connections

The sound of gunshots and the sight of a political figure falling to the ground, swiftly protected by Secret Service agents, stirred painful historical memories. Although Trump is no longer the president, his injury highlights the constant danger that looms over the office and those who seek it, particularly for those who secure it.

Tragically, throughout history, four of his predecessors have been assassinated while in office, with the most recent incident occurring in 1963 when John F Kennedy was killed. The recent attack on Trump marks the end of a 40-year period where people believed the Secret Service had effectively minimized the risk of such incidents. The repercussions of this event will linger for years to come, creating a sombre atmosphere.

The incident where Trump was targeted during his presidential campaign drew parallels to the assassination of Robert F Kennedy, a Democratic candidate, in 1968. That fateful year was marred by the tragic killings of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr, and violent clashes at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Interestingly, this year’s convention will also be held in Chicago, a city with a historical connection to such events.

Political violence has continued. In 2011, Arizona Democratic representative Gabrielle Giffords was shot in the head at an event, resulting in brain damage. Six people were killed in the attack. In 2017, a gunman attacked a Republican congressional baseball practice, injuring House Majority Whip Steve Scalise and three others.

The country is also still dealing with the aftershocks of the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol by Trump supporters. Sadly, history shows that violence, although inexcusable, is a common mark on American politics.

(The author of this article is a Defence, Aerospace & Political Analyst based in Bengaluru. He is also Director of ADD Engineering Components, India, Pvt. Ltd, a subsidiary of ADD Engineering GmbH, Germany. You can reach him at: girishlinganna@gmail.com)

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are of the author only.