Former President Donald Trump recently held a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, marking his return to the city after an assassination attempt at his last rally there nearly three months ago. During the July 13 rally, Trump was shot in the ear by an assassin, resulting in the death of one rally-goer and injuries to others. Despite the harrowing incident, Trump resumed his rally in Butler by reintroducing the same chart he was discussing when he was shot.
The chart displayed by Trump highlighted the surge in illegal immigration that occurred after President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris took office in 2020. Trump's focus on this issue has been a key part of his political platform, and he continued to emphasize it during his speech in Butler.
The rally ended with Secret Service agents rushing Trump off the stage after the assassination attempt. The incident raised concerns about the security measures in place to protect the former president, leading to the resignation of former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle in the aftermath.
The assassin, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was able to evade security measures and fire multiple shots at Trump before being taken down by a Secret Service counter-sniper. The incident highlighted the challenges faced by law enforcement in ensuring the safety of public figures during public events.
Overall, the rally in Butler was a tense and dramatic event, underscoring the ongoing political divisions and security threats facing the country. The aftermath of the assassination attempt has raised questions about the effectiveness of security measures and the need for continued vigilance in protecting public figures from harm.