The attempted assassinations of former President Donald Trump in 2024 have thrust the dark chapter of US presidential assassination attempts back into the national consciousness. As political science departments at universities across the country convene discussions and update curricula, academics are drawing parallels to historical precedents, examining motivations ranging from ideological fervor to personal delusions, and pondering the broader implications for American democracy. These events, occurring amid heightened partisan tensions, offer higher education institutions a critical teaching moment on political violence and resilience.

Trump survived a shooting at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024, where the gunman grazed his ear, and another plot was foiled at his West Palm Beach golf course on September 15, 2024. Such incidents echo a pattern spanning nearly two centuries, where 14 major attempts have targeted presidents, resulting in four deaths. Historians and political scientists at institutions like Virginia Tech, Boston University, and Rice University emphasize that while many attackers acted alone, the societal undercurrents—economic discontent, ideological extremes, and mental health crises—persist today.

Understanding the 2024 Trump Assassination Attempts

The Butler rally shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, was a 20-year-old recent graduate of the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) in Pennsylvania. He earned an Associate of Science in Engineering Science in May 2024 with high honors and a cumulative GPA of 3.75, excelling in courses like calculus, physics, chemistry, and statics. Despite his academic success, Crooks was described by peers as quiet and bullied in high school, with no clear political ideology—he was a registered Republican who donated to a progressive group. His path from community college engineering student to the rooftop overlooking the rally highlights questions about radicalization among young adults in higher education settings.

The second incident involved Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, arrested near Trump's golf course with a rifle. Routh had briefly attended North Carolina A&T State University and dropped out of UNC Greensboro, later pursuing activism in Ukraine aid. Prosecutors revealed a letter where he admitted planning the attack, criticizing Trump as unfit for office. These cases underscore how higher education intersects with such tragedies, prompting universities to review student mental health support and online radicalization prevention.

A Timeline of US Presidential Assassination Attempts

Since 1835, US presidents have faced at least 14 documented assassination attempts, with four succeeding. This list, compiled from historical records, reveals clusters during periods of national strife like the Civil War era and the turbulent 1960s-1980s.

• 1835: Andrew Jackson – Richard Lawrence's pistols misfired outside the Capitol; first attempt, attacker deemed insane.
• 1865: Abraham Lincoln (successful) – John Wilkes Booth shot him at Ford's Theatre amid Civil War tensions.
• 1881: James Garfield (successful) – Charles Guiteau, a delusional office-seeker, shot him at a train station.
• 1901: William McKinley (successful) – Anarchist Leon Czolgosz fired at the Pan-American Exposition.
• 1912: Theodore Roosevelt (wounded) – John Schrank shot him during campaign; bullet slowed by speech manuscript.
• 1933: Franklin D. Roosevelt – Giuseppe Zangara missed FDR but killed Chicago Mayor Anton Cermak.
• 1950: Harry Truman – Puerto Rican nationalists attacked Blair House.
• 1963: John F. Kennedy (successful) – Lee Harvey Oswald in Dallas; Warren Commission ruled lone gunman.
• 1975: Gerald Ford (two attempts) – Lynette 'Squeaky' Fromme (unloaded gun) and Sara Jane Moore (shot missed).
• 1981: Ronald Reagan (wounded) – John Hinckley Jr. sought fame via Jodie Foster obsession.
• 2005: George W. Bush – Grenade thrown in Georgia by Vladimir Arutyunian failed to explode.
• 2024: Donald Trump (two attempts) – Crooks at rally, Routh at golf course.

Political historians note that 19th-century attempts often stemmed from economic grievances or mental instability, while 20th-century ones involved ideological extremists or fame-seekers. Data shows four presidents killed, three wounded but survived, with others unharmed but bystanders injured.

19th Century Foundations: Instability and the Gilded Age

The earliest attempt on Andrew Jackson in 1835 set a precedent for presidential vulnerability, as security was minimal—no Secret Service until 1901 post-McKinley. Lincoln's assassination amid Civil War reconstruction fueled conspiracy theories that persist in university seminars. Garfield and McKinley's deaths, by office-seekers and anarchists, prompted civil service reforms like the Pendleton Act, transforming government patronage systems.

Professors in history departments, such as those at Rice University, highlight how these events accelerated Progressive Era changes, reducing corruption but exposing societal fractures. Community colleges like CCAC now incorporate such timelines in American history courses, linking past violence to modern threats.

20th Century Escalation: Cold War Tensions and Lone Wolves

Theodore Roosevelt's wounding galvanized his Bull Moose campaign, symbolizing resilience. FDR's narrow escape amid the Great Depression underscored economic despair's role. Truman's Blair House shootout led to enhanced White House security. Ford's dual 1975 attempts by cult followers and radicals reflected post-Watergate malaise.

Reagan's survival boosted his popularity, altering 1980s politics. Bush's grenade incident highlighted global risks. Kennedy's death, debated in countless poli sci classes, shifted civil rights momentum via LBJ. Academics at Boston University argue many attackers were 'lone nuts' rather than politically driven, challenging narratives of organized plots.

Patterns in US Presidential Assassination Attempts: Academic Insights

Political scientists identify common threads: over 70% of attackers suffered mental illness, per historical analyses. Lone actors dominate, with ideologies secondary. A Northwestern University study on global assassinations found successes disrupt institutions more than failures, though US cases often reinforce democracy via swift successions.

USF scholars note rising attempts correlate with polarization peaks. Virginia Tech experts link rhetoric to violence risks, urging campuses to model civil discourse. PNAS research post-Trump attempt showed decreased partisan violence support on social media, suggesting unifying effects.

Higher Education's Response: Faculty Debates and Academic Freedom

US colleges grappled with faculty social media posts post-Trump attempt. At Bellarmine University, instructor John James was fired for an Instagram quip; Carnegie Mellon's Uju Anya kept her 'staged' claim amid backlash. Universities like UBC and Guelph investigated similar comments, balancing free speech with institutional responsibility.

AAUP defends extramural speech unless unfit for duty. FIRE advocates tolerance for unpopular views. These incidents sparked campus forums on academic freedom, with poli sci profs at Northeastern and Duke warning of chilling effects on discourse. Discussions on faculty speech boundaries highlight tensions.

Presidential Assassinations in University Curricula

Political science courses at US universities routinely cover these events. syllabi from FAU and Queens University integrate assassinations into presidency modules, analyzing electoral impacts and security evolutions. Community colleges like CCAC teach them in history gen eds, connecting Crooks' engineering background to STEM pathways amid societal issues.

Four-year institutions like Rice and VT use case studies for violence's democratic tests. Post-2024, profs added modules on modern threats, fostering debates on gun laws and rhetoric.

Long-Term Impacts: From Secret Service to Succession Reforms

Attempts spurred changes: McKinley's death birthed Secret Service protection. Reagan's elevated VP roles. Trump's prompted reviews of rally security. Academics note resilience—successions stabilized government—but warn cumulative trauma erodes trust.

Rising Political Violence: Warnings from Campuses

Professors at BU and VT see 2024 as symptom of polarization, not anomaly. BU's Wagner attributes Crooks' act to attention-seeking, not ideology. VT's Hawdon calls for de-escalation. Universities host panels on threats to democracy, urging voter education.

Higher Education's Role in Countering Violence Narratives

Colleges lead by promoting critical thinking, media literacy. Poli sci programs analyze history to prevent repeats. Amid faculty controversies, institutions reaffirm free inquiry while condemning violence. Future outlook: Enhanced mental health, security collaborations with campuses.

These events remind us: US presidential assassination attempts, while tragic, have historically strengthened institutions. Higher education must guide informed citizenship.