Across American history, multiple assailants have attempted to remove a sitting president by force, yet every target has survived. These events reveal how close several commanders in chief have come to tragedy while shaping modern security protocols.
Below is a structured overview of presidents who faced unsuccessful assassination attempts, including dates, methods, and outcomes that inform ongoing risk assessments.
| President | Attempt Year | Method | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew Jackson | 1835 | Firearms (pistols) | Both pistols misfired; attempt failed |
| Abraham Lincoln | 1864 | Firearms (knife/conspiracy) | Assassination succeeded in 1865; earlier plot disrupted |
| Theodore Roosevelt | 1912 | Firearms (long gun) | Ruger did not fire; Roosevelt unharmed |
| Franklin D. Roosevelt | 1933 | Firearms (rifle) | Grimm killed by guard; FDR unharmed |
| Harry S. Truman | 1950 | Firearms (automatic pistols) | Oscar Collazo wounded; attempt thwarted |
| Gerald Ford | 1975 | Firearms (pistol) | Two separate Sacramento attempts; both missed |
| Ronald Reagan | 1981 | Firearms (revolver) | Wounded by gunfire; recovery achieved |
| Donald Trump | 2024 | Firearms (rifle) | Attempt neutralized; casualty among bystanders |
Presidents and Their Survived Attack Attempts
Unsuccessful Efforts Before 1900
The earliest recorded attempt targeted Andrew Jackson in 1835, when Richard Lawrence aimed a pistol at the president near the U.S. Capitol. Both of Lawrence’s weapons misfired, and Jackson escaped unharmed, highlighting early gaps in executive protection.
Although Abraham Lincoln was assassinated in 1865, an earlier conspiracy in 1864 sought to kill him and other officials simultaneously. This plot was disrupted before reaching the stage of a direct unsuccessful attempt on his life while in immediate presence.
Theodore Roosevelt and the 1912 Incident
Campaign Stop Confrontation
Former president Theodore Roosevelt, campaigning as a third-party candidate in 1912, faced John Schrank in Milwaukee. A rifle bullet penetrated his speech folder and glasses case, yet Roosevelt proceeded with his address, and the malfunction stopped further harm.
Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry Truman, and Postwar Threats
1933 and 1950 Executive Risks
In 1933, Giuseppe Zangara fired at President-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt in Miami, killing Chicago mayor Anton Cermak instead. FDR remained unscathed, but the event accelerated measures to shield incoming chief executives.
At Blair House in 1950, Oscar Collazo and Griselio Torresola attempted to assassinate Harry S. Truman. Collazo wounded officers; Torresola and White House police officer Leslie Coffelt were killed, demonstrating the human cost even when the president survived.
Modern Era Incidents and Contemporary Security
1970s to 2020s Close Calls
Gerald Ford endured two separate assassination attempts in Sacramento within a short span in 1975, with assailants Sara Jane Moore and Lynette Fromme both missing their marks. These incidents led to reforms in Secretarial procedures.
Ronald Reagan’s 1981 wounding by John Hinckley Jr. triggered sweeping updates to presidential motorcade and medical response protocols, showing how an ostensibly unsuccessful attempt still reshapes protection strategies.
In 2024, a would-be shooter targeted Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania rally, resulting in casualties among attendees before the threat was neutralized. This event underscored persistent vulnerabilities in crowded public appearances.
Key Takeaways on Presidential Threats and Outcomes
- Every president targeted by an assassination attempt has survived the immediate event, though some died later by other means.
- Firearms have been the predominant method used against presidents, with varying reliability of weapons affecting outcomes.
- Failed attempts have consistently accelerated the professionalization of presidential protection details.
- Public appearances remain high-risk moments, driving policies that balance accessibility with security.
- Interagency coordination and intelligence lead to preemptive disruption of several planned attacks.
FAQ
Reader questions
How many presidents have survived an assassination attempt?
More than ten U.S. presidents have survived at least one unsuccessful assassination attempt, spanning conflicts involving firearms, explosives, and conspiracies that were disrupted before reaching a direct strike.
Which president faced multiple non-fatal attempts during a single term?
Gerald Ford endured two distinct attempts within weeks in 1975, both of which failed due to a combination of poor marksmanship, rapid intervention by Secret Service agents, and fortunate circumstances.
What technological or tactical factors turned assassination attempts unsuccessful?
Misfiring weapons, delayed discovery of plots, protective bystanders, swift medical response, and evolving security technology have repeatedly prevented successful outcomes despite determined adversaries.
How has each attempt influenced presidential security policy?
Each incident, from Jackson’s misfires to modern-day interruptions, has driven legislative, procedural, and technological upgrades, including armored vehicles, intelligence sharing, and threat assessment frameworks.