by Brett Manero.
A shocking event occurred on July 13, 2024, during a political rally in Pennsylvania. Former President – and current Republican candidate – Donald Trump was nearly assassinated while speaking to his supporters. From what I have read, Trump escaped certain death by merely centimeters, as at least one bullet struck the top of his ear. The would-be assassin, Thomas Crookes, was quickly shot and killed by Secret Service agents. Horrifically, at least one other man – Corey Comperatore – died nearby while shielding his daughter from the bullets, and our deepest sympathies go out to his loved ones. This is the first time since President Ronald Reagan was attacked in 1981 that a President has been shot, and history itself avoided a massive turning point by the slight shift of Trump’s head, avoiding his certain death. Guardian angel?
I think every American of good will is thinking something similar at the moment: something along the lines of: whoa. This attempt on his life was egregious and horrific, and is rightly condemned by the overwhelming majority of political leaders, including President Joe Biden. Whether one supports or opposes Trump, resorting to political violence is rightly condemned. Political and cultural divisions in America have only increased in the past twenty years to a disturbing level, and perhaps yesterday was the culmination of the rising tensions. When either side of the political aisle constantly labels the other side as an existential threat, the tensions only rise to a dangerous level.
Tragically, political violence has been all too common in human history and throughout the history of the United States. President Abraham Lincoln was tragically murdered by John Wilkes Booth, a radical who believed himself to be “avenging” the defeat of the Confederacy after the Civil War. Booth ultimately made Lincoln a martyr while he himself was killed in the days following the assassination. President John F. Kennedy was infamously murdered in 1963 by Lee Harvey Oswald. In more recent years, Congresswoman Gabby Giffords was shot in Arizona in 2011, while Congressman Steve Scalise was shot in 2017.
Perhaps a restoration of the respect of human life is what America so desperately needs. Maybe a reminder that one’s political opponents, too, are human and worthy of dignity is what the American Republic needs. A common respect for human life can calm the current divisions and bring desperately needed healing to our Republic.
Lastly, the world has seen the image of Trump raising his fist following the shooting. The picture will undoubtedly become an image of his ongoing presidential campaign. It is shockingly ironic that the shooter was, evidently, attempting to murder Trump, but may end up actually boosting his presidential campaign. Just as Boothe made Lincoln a martyr in 1865, and Oswald made Kennedy a martyr in 1963, Crookes may very well have ensured that Trump will once again win the Presidency.
