On Saturday, former President Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. It would have been a huge tragedy if the results were different. After the failed assassination attempt, the former president escaped without any serious injuries.
It was a normal rally like any other, until it wasn’t. Donald Trump supporters were gathered together wearing “Make America Great Again” hats beneath a clear blue sky. “God Bless the U.S.A.” boomed over the speakers, everything was normal until gunshots were heard.
Some say that an assassination attempt was made because it looks like Biden will lose the 2024 presidential elections. Biden’s disastrous performance in the first presidential debate and the time running out for the Democrats to replace Biden strengthen this saying.
How Trump’s Assassination Attempt Unfolded
On July 13, at 6:05 p.m., Trump took the stage at the rally as supporters cheered. Soon, the former president walks to the podium and starts speaking to the audience. At 6:09 p.m., some rally spectators notice a gunman. The spectators noticed the gunman on the roof of a nearby building, approximately 400 feet away from the former president.
At 6:10 p.m., a minute before the shooting, security officers began looking for the gunman. Videos of spectators at the rally are going viral where they say that they noticed the gunman minutes before the shooting and alerted the security forces.
At 6:11 p.m., a shooting erupted when Trump was eight minutes into his speech. At the time of the shooting, Trump was looking at a chart on the screen showing statistics on immigration. He moved his head slightly to look at the chart while saying, “Take a look at that chart.” The slight movement of his head made all the difference between life and death.
The former president was calling out Biden’s immigration policy, but he was cut off by the gunshots fired by the gunman on the roof. As shots were fired, Trump was seen clutching his right ear and ducking behind the podium. Within seconds, Secret Service agents stormed the stage and shielded the former president with their bodies.
Blood was seen on the right ear and across Trump’s face. The gunman fired as many as eight rounds from an AR-style rifle. The gunman was on the roof, 400-500 feet away from Trump.
1 Minute After The Shooting
As shots rang, panic erupted, and spectators behind Trump ducked. Within seconds, Secret Service snipers fired rounds of shots and killed the gunman on the rooftop. At 6:12 p.m., one spectator was killed and two others were injured.
After the shooting, Trump stood up, still surrounded by Secret Service agents. Trump raised his right hand and made a fist while shouting what looked like a “fight.” At 6:12 p.m., Secret Service agents escorted Trump off the stage and into his special vehicle, waiting.
The Secret Service’s Failure
After the assassination attempt, an investigation was launched. In an investigation, the FBI revealed the name of the shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks. In further investigation, the FBI discovered explosive devices in Crook’s car parked nearby the shooting area.
Following the assassination attempt, the Secret Service has come under fire too. The Secret Service chief faces growing calls for resignation amidst criticism. The Secret Service chief, Kimberly Cheatle, has been asked to resign after Saturday’s failure.
Saturday was a failure of the Secret Service. According to the New York Post, a former FBI official said that the protection for the former president was a total disaster. Former FBI Assistant Director Chris Swecker said, “It was a total security breakdown from start to finish. He also added, “Imagine if the shooter hadn’t been this kid but a well-trained cell? Our enemies are looking at us, thinking we can take Trump or anyone out without a problem.”