On September 15, 2024, former U.S. President Donald Trump narrowly survived a second assassination attempt, an event that once again underscored the grim reality of violence in American political life. His survival adds his name to the long and unsettling list of presidents and former presidents who have faced life-threatening attacks. These moments are not isolated—they form a disturbing pattern that stretches across the nation’s history, reminding Americans of the risks that come with occupying or even having occupied the highest office in the landSince the United States was founded, forty-five men have served as president. Startlingly, nearly 40 percent of them have faced assassination attempts. Four were fatally struck down while in office: Abraham Lincoln, James A. Garfield, William McKinley, and John F. Kennedy. Others were injured or narrowly spared by chance or the intervention of bystanders. Each attack tells a story of discontent, obsession, or personal grievance, but all serve as reminders that the presidency is not just a political role but a dangerous one.
