Recent Incidents Target President Trump Amid Ongoing Political Violence Across U.S. Spectrum

By Staff Reporter

*Published: April 29, 2026*

President Donald Trump described recent threats against him as a sign of his administration's significance. Speaking after a gunman approached security at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner on Saturday, Trump stated: “The people that do the most, the people that make the biggest impact, they’re the ones that they go after. I hate to say I’m honored by that, but we’ve done a lot.”

Trump has faced multiple high-profile security incidents since returning to office, including a July 2024 assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where shots grazed his ear, killed one attendee and critically injured two others. The shooter, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, a kitchen worker, was killed by a Secret Service sniper. Federal investigators have not identified a definitive motive for Crooks. Online activity showed he researched Trump, then-President Joe Biden, the Democratic National Convention and the Republican National Convention in the preceding month. Voter records indicate Crooks registered as a Republican in 2021 and voted in the 2022 midterm elections.

A second incident occurred Saturday at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, where 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen allegedly rushed security armed with two firearms and three knives. Authorities recovered a document attributed to Allen expressing anger at Trump's policies, references to alleged sexual misconduct and a statement that he was “no longer willing” to “coat my hands with his crimes,” though it did not name Trump directly.

Trump allies have described these and a third gun-related incident as linked to rhetoric from the political left. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, speaking Monday, referenced Allen’s document and said: “When you read the manifesto of this shooter, ask yourselves, how different is the rhetoric from this almost-assassin than what you read on social media and hear in various forums every single day? The deranged lies and smears against the president, his family, his supporters have led crazy people to believe crazy things, and they are inspired to commit violence because of those words. It has to stop.”

Trump has also used strong language against opponents, referring to some as “the enemy from within” and promoting claims such as widespread election fraud in 2020, which courts and election officials have rejected. He has additionally referenced violent historical events, such as suggesting protesters be shot during 2020 demonstrations.

Political violence has affected figures across the ideological spectrum. Historical examples include the 1960s assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., as well as two attempts on President Gerald Ford in 1975 within 17 days. Experts attribute much of the current rise to social upheaval, intense partisan polarization, heated public rhetoric portraying opponents as existential dangers and the rapid spread of information on social media.

Matthew Dallek, a political historian at George Washington University and author on extremist movements, said: “It is easier than ever for mentally ill individuals to become radicalized. When they’re radicalized, even if their agenda is not always crystal clear, they usually are responding to ideas and conspiracy theories circulating in the culture.”

Law enforcement personnel surrounded the Washington Hilton hotel, site of the dinner, following the incident. (Andrew Leyden/Getty Images)

The Trump administration has linked recent threats to broader actions against critics. On Tuesday, a federal grand jury indicted former FBI Director James B. Comey for a second time, after prior charges were dismissed by a judge. Prosecutors alleged the charges stemmed from Comey posting and then deleting an Instagram image in 2025 showing seashells arranged as “86 47” — with “47” referring to Trump’s presidency number and “86” slang for removal or disposal. Administration officials interpreted this as a threat advocating Trump’s murder. Comey described the image, which he encountered on a walk, as a political statement without violent intent.

Democrats and their allies have also faced violent incidents in recent years:

• In October 2022, David DePape attacked Paul Pelosi, husband of then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, with a hammer in their San Francisco home. DePape, who held far-right and QAnon-related views, stated he sought to interrogate Nancy Pelosi.

• In 2020, federal prosecutors charged 14 men, including members of the Wolverine Watchmen militia, with plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer over COVID-19 restrictions. Six were convicted or pleaded guilty.

• In April 2025, Cody Balmer set fire to the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion during Passover celebrations attended by Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family. Balmer, who died in a subsequent confrontation with police, had expressed pro-Palestinian views online and criticized Shapiro’s support for Israel.

• In June 2025, Vance Boelter killed Minnesota state lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, in their home. Authorities recovered a list from Boelter targeting Democratic officials, though he has denied political motivations in statements to investigators.

Minnesota state lawmaker Melissa Hortman, her husband Mark Hortman and their dog Gilbert lay in state at the Minnesota Capitol in St. Paul on June 27, 2025. (Joshua Lott/The Washington Post)

Public attitudes toward political violence have drawn increased scrutiny, particularly following the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot by Trump supporters aiming to disrupt certification of the 2020 election results.

Surveys show mixed results. An NPR-PBS News-Marist poll from fall 2025 found 28% of Democrats and 31% of Republicans agreed that “Americans may have to resort to violence in order to get the country back on track,” up 11 points from 18 months prior.

However, other research indicates limited support for extreme acts. The Polarization Research Lab, a multi-university group, surveyed Americans after the September 2025 assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Fewer than 1% deemed partisan murder acceptable. The lab’s report stated: “This near-total rejection demonstrates that there is no meaningful constituency for political violence in the United States.”

The same survey found over 90% of respondents feared political violence, with nearly one-third avoiding political signs or bumper stickers due to safety concerns.

These incidents have contributed to a broader environment where many Americans report hesitancy to express political views openly. Federal data from the FBI shows a 30% increase in threats against public officials since 2020, spanning both parties. The Secret Service reported protecting over 30 candidates and officials from serious threats in 2025 alone.

Historians note parallels to earlier eras of unrest, such as the 1970s, when domestic terrorism from groups like the Weather Underground and far-right militias peaked amid Vietnam War protests and economic turmoil. Today’s dynamics include online echo chambers amplifying fringe views, with platforms reporting millions of posts flagged for violent content in 2025.

Law enforcement challenges persist in preempting attacks, as seen in the Butler rally security lapses, which prompted congressional hearings and Secret Service leadership changes. Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned in 2024 amid criticism.

Trump’s schedule has continued amid heightened security, including rallies and events drawing large crowds. Administration officials emphasize vigilance while attributing threats to opponents’ rhetoric, a claim Democrats counter by pointing to attacks on their side.

Political scientists like Dallek warn that de-escalating rhetoric could mitigate risks. “Reducing the temperature requires leaders on all sides to model restraint,” he added in a recent interview.

As investigations into the latest incidents proceed, authorities urge the public to report threats promptly. The FBI’s tip line received over 10,000 political violence reports in 2025, reflecting heightened awareness.

This pattern underscores that while Trump has been a frequent target, political violence remains a nonpartisan threat, with no single ideology dominating perpetrators’ profiles. Ongoing research by groups like the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project tracks over 200 domestic incidents since 2021, affecting officials, activists and private citizens alike.

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