Decade of Threats: Tracing Trump’s History from the Butler Shooting to Recent Golf Course Incident

Gunfire, armed stalkers, and foiled conspiracies have continually shadowed President Donald Trump throughout his decade in the national spotlight. These threats form an ominous backdrop to his political narrative.

Despite surviving a sniper attack in Butler, Pennsylvania, two years ago, Trump’s political journey remains marred by a relentless wave of assassination plots, navigating him through treacherous waters once considered unparalleled.

From the campaign trails of yesteryears to the latest breach at the golf club, this continuous specter of danger has relentlessly pursued President Trump, intensifying with each step of his second term.

Las Vegas, Nevada — June 18, 2016

Michael Steven Sandford, a British national, tried to pull a Las Vegas police officer’s handgun from its holster while then-candidate Trump spoke at a campaign rally.

According to court documents, Sandford told investigators he had traveled to Las Vegas intending to kill Trump and had practiced firing a rented handgun at a shooting range the previous day. Officers immediately subdued him, and no one was injured.

Sandford pleaded guilty to federal firearm and disruption charges and was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison.

Mandan, North Dakota — Sept. 6, 2017

Gregory Lee Leingang stole a forklift and drove it into a restricted area near the route planned for Trump’s motorcade before the president’s appearance at a refinery.

Prosecutors said Leingang intended to use the forklift to overturn the presidential limousine and kill Trump.

The forklift became stuck inside a gated area before the motorcade arrived, and Leingang abandoned it and fled on foot. He was arrested and later pleaded guilty to federal charges stemming from the security breach.

Washington, D.C. — September 2020

Pascale Ferrier mailed a threatening letter containing homemade ricin to Trump at the White House during the 2020 presidential campaign. The envelope was intercepted at a mail-sorting facility before it reached the White House, and Trump was not exposed to the deadly toxin.

Ferrier also sent ricin letters to eight law enforcement officials in Texas and was arrested at the U.S.-Canada border with a loaded gun and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.

She pleaded guilty to violating federal biological weapons laws and was sentenced to 262 months in prison.

Butler, Pennsylvania — July 13, 2024

Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire from a rooftop outside the rally’s security perimeter as Trump addressed supporters near Butler.

The gunfire wounded Trump in his right ear, killed rally attendee Corey Comperatore and seriously injured David Dutch and James Copenhaver.

A Secret Service counter-sniper killed Crooks seconds after the shooting began.

West Palm Beach, Florida — Sept. 15, 2024

Ryan Wesley Routh concealed himself in brush along the fence of Trump’s golf course while the then-presidential candidate played nearby. A Secret Service agent scouting ahead of Trump spotted Routh’s rifle and opened fire, causing Routh to flee without firing a shot.

Authorities arrested him on Interstate 95 and recovered a loaded, scoped rifle, armor plates, a camera and other evidence from the fence line.

A federal jury convicted Routh of attempted assassination and related charges in September 2025, and a judge sentenced him in February 2026 to life plus seven years in prison.

Washington, D.C. — April 25, 2026

Federal prosecutors allege Cole Tomas Allen entered the Washington Hilton armed with a shotgun, a pistol and knives during the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner.

Authorities say Allen rushed a security checkpoint and fired, striking a Secret Service officer in the chest; the officer’s ballistic vest prevented a serious injury.

Trump, first lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance and other senior officials were evacuated. One Secret Service agent was struck in the chest by a round but survived due to wearing an armored vest.

Allen has pleaded not guilty to charges including attempting to assassinate the president, assaulting a federal officer and firearms offenses, and the case remains pending.

Rancho Palos Verdes, California — Aug. 2, 2026

A California man was arrested Sunday at Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes after allegedly monitoring security planning activities days before the president’s visit, and was later found with a cache of weapons and body armor, authorities said.

Investigators said they recovered an illegally modified AR-platform rifle; a 1911 .45-caliber pistol; an AR-platform upper receiver; body armor; high-capacity magazines; bulk pistol and rifle ammunition; two radio signal devices; and multiple notebooks containing what authorities described as “concerning statements.”

Jeanine John Taele, 38, of Downey, pleaded not guilty to four criminal charges stemming from his arrest outside the golf course days before the president’s scheduled visit.

A Los Angeles County judge set Taele’s bail at $250,000, ordered him not to possess any weapons, barred him from Trump National Golf Club and prohibited him from leaving California while the case is pending.

In a statement to News Media, a spokesperson with the U.S. Secret Service said: “With respect to this defendant, we do not comment on the specifics of protective intelligence matters. However, the U.S. Secret Service thoroughly investigates any information or activity that may reasonably be perceived as a protective intelligence concern or indicate a potential threat or directed interest toward any individual under Secret Service protection.

“We are grateful to our partners at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the Joint Terrorism Task Force for their continued support and strong partnership in advancing our shared investigative and protective missions.”