Assassination attempts, arson and targeted shootings have left deep scars on American public life over the past three years, touching presidents, state leaders, activists and private citizens. Experts warn that politically motivated violence — and public tolerance for it — appears to be increasing, even as the overall murder rate fell to a 125-year low in 2025.
Notable Incidents
Attempted Rooftop Attack at Trump Rally (Butler, PA)
At a campaign rally near Pittsburgh, 20-year-old Thomas Crooks opened fire from a rooftop. A bullet grazed President Donald Trump’s ear, two attendees were wounded, and 50-year-old firefighter Corey Comperatore was killed. Authorities say Crooks died when counter-snipers returned fire; investigators have released few details about his motive.
Rifle Barrel Found Near Trump Golf Club (West Palm Beach, FL)
U.S. Secret Service agents discovered a rifle barrel protruding from brush near the perimeter of Trump International Golf Club while the president was on the course. No one was injured. Jurors later convicted Ryan Wesley Routh; sentencing is pending and he faces a potential life term.
Shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO (Manhattan, NY)
Brian Thompson, a 50-year-old father of two and the CEO of a major insurer, was approached from behind and fatally shot on a New York City sidewalk. Prosecutors say suspect Luigi Mangione has pleaded not guilty; investigators reported journals in which Mangione criticized the health-insurance industry and detailed planning for the attack. State and federal trials are expected to continue into late 2026.
Sniper Killing of Charlie Kirk (Orem, UT)
Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk was shot by an alleged sniper while speaking at Utah Valley University and later died at a hospital. Authorities have charged 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, who has pleaded not guilty; courtroom filings include text exchanges investigators say express political opposition to Kirk.
Arson at Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence (Harrisburg, PA)
An arsonist set fire at Gov. Josh Shapiro’s official residence around 2 a.m. on the first night of Passover while the governor and his family were inside. Surveillance footage shows the attacker breaking a window and throwing Molotov-style devices into the dining area. Cody Balmer pleaded guilty and received a 25–50 year prison sentence.
Capital Jewish Museum Shooting (Washington, D.C.)
A gunman opened fire outside the Capital Jewish Museum, killing a young couple who were employees of the Israeli Embassy. Authorities charged 31-year-old Elias Rodriguez, who has pleaded not guilty; no trial date has been set.
Minnesota Attacks
Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed in their Brooklyn Park home. Nearby, state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were shot and survived. Prosecutors charged 58-year-old Vance Boelter in connection with both attacks; he has pleaded not guilty and remains scheduled for court proceedings.
Other Incidents
Federal prosecutors also investigated an alleged murder-for-hire plot targeting U.S. Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino; the accused, Juan Espinoza Martinez, was recently found not guilty. Separately, a 26-year-old was arrested in connection with vandalism at Vice President J.D. Vance’s Cincinnati home; authorities cited prior vandalism charges and mental-health concerns.
What Experts and Officials Are Saying
Experts, former law-enforcement officials and security advisers warn of a disturbing pattern: politically targeted violence stretching from vandalism and threats to arson and assassination. Motives vary — including extremist ideology, personal grievance and attempts to spark public debate — but the consequences have been deadly and destabilizing.
Prosecutors and investigators continue to pursue charges across jurisdictions, with several major trials and hearings scheduled through 2026. Families of victims, public officials and security experts have called for stronger protections for public figures, tighter scrutiny of online planning and better attention to early warning signs.
Implications
These incidents underscore deepening concerns about polarization and the risks that private anger can escalate into public violence. Authorities emphasize vigilance at public events, improved security for officials and careful monitoring of communications used to plan or promote attacks.
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is surrounded by U.S. Secret Service agents at a campaign rally, Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa.(AP Images)
Ryan Routh was accused of aiming an AK-47 at then-former President Trump while he was golfing at his course in West Palm Beach, Florida. Jurors later found him guilty in connection with a failed assassination attempt.
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson is pictured in an undated portrait provided by UnitedHealth. The executive was shot from behind and killed on his way to an investor conference in New York City in what prosecutors have described as a politically motivated assassination.
Luigi Mangione, charged with the murder of Brian Thompson, the CEO of United Healthcare, appears in State Supreme Court in Manhattan during an evidence suppression hearing in his case on Friday, December 12, 2025.
Josh Shapiro, governor of Pennsylvania, during a re-election campaign kickoff event in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026.
Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim were shot and killed as they left an event at the Capital Jewish Museum, pose for a picture at an unknown location, in this handout image released by the Embassy of Israel to the U.S. on May 22, 2025.
This combo of photos provided by the Minnesota Legislature shows, from left, Senator John A. Hoffman and Rep. Melissa Hortman.
Charlie Kirk speaks at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025 in Orem, Utah. Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was speaking at his "American Comeback Tour" when he was shot in the neck and killed.
U.S. Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino and his men stop at a gas station while on patrol on December 17, 2025, in Evanston, Illinois.
Vice President JD Vance speaks with Breitbart News Washington bureau chief Matthew Boyle at Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium, Nov. 20, 2025, in Washington.
