WASHINGTON — The White House on Tuesday marked the second anniversary of the assassination attempt against President Donald Trump, commemorating the victims of the July 13, 2024, shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania, while highlighting changes to presidential security and renewed calls to reject political violence.
In statements issued around the anniversary, President Trump reflected on surviving the attack, saying he believed divine intervention had spared his life. White House officials also praised the actions of the U.S. Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies that responded during the shooting and reiterated that political violence has no place in the United States.
The attack occurred during a campaign rally in Butler, where a gunman opened fire from an elevated position. Trump was grazed in the ear, one rally attendee, Corey Comperatore, was killed, and two others were wounded before the suspected gunman was fatally shot by a Secret Service sniper. The incident prompted multiple federal investigations into security failures and led to recommendations aimed at strengthening protective measures for future presidential events.
The White House said the anniversary served as an opportunity to honor Comperatore and recognize the emergency responders and law enforcement personnel who intervened during the attack. Officials also noted that security procedures surrounding presidential appearances have since been reviewed and updated following recommendations from congressional and independent investigations.
Trump, speaking in media interviews marking the anniversary, described the shooting as a life-changing moment and repeated his longstanding view that he survived because "God was with me." He also expressed gratitude to supporters and first responders who assisted in the aftermath of the attack.
The anniversary comes months after another alleged attempt targeting Trump during his presidency in April 2026. Federal prosecutors charged a California man with attempting to assassinate the president following a shooting near the White House Correspondents' Association dinner. The White House has cited that incident, along with previous threats, as evidence of continuing security risks facing the president and senior government officials.
The Butler shooting remains one of the most significant acts of political violence in recent U.S. history and prompted renewed bipartisan calls for civility in political discourse. In remarks delivered after the attack in 2024, then-President Joe Biden condemned the violence, offered condolences to the victims and their families, and said there was "no place in America for this kind of violence."
