Trump Survives- Security “Lapses†&/or Apparent Assassination Attempt? | Nilofar Suhrawardy

Considering that Americans have not apparently panicked nor is the country witnessing any chaotic situation, following the “apparent†assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, one gets the impression that democracy is not at stake there. However, what if the alleged shooter was not a White? What if he was Brown, Black, a Muslim, Hindu or Sikh? It is possible, the aftermath may have been totally different. He and his entire community may have most probably been instantly labelled as “terrorist.†Ironically, Thomas Mathew Crooks has so far not been tagged with this label. Even though FBI is investigating the case as “possible domestic terrorism,†not much attention seems to be paid to calling Crooks a terrorist. Explosives found in his car and at his home, suspected to be bomb making material, have been, reportedly, described by FBI as “rudimentary.†But if United States is witnessing such incidents of “possible domestic terrorism,†one is compelled to take note of President Joe Biden’s remarks condemning the assassination attempt. In his words, “There is no place in America for this kind of violence, or any violence, for that matter. An assassination attempt is contrary to everything we stand for as a nation – everything.â€

Everything also includes democracy, America is supposed to stand for. Given what American leaders have spread and propagated outside their borders, it is difficult to de-link violence from what the superpower has begun being identified with. Why blame youngsters from adopting this path on their own soil?

Referring specifically to the shooting incident while Trump was addressing a rally in Pennsylvania, since then, each and every movement of his is being closely watched by media and of course by American security officers. He would have still remained in the news as a Republican nominee for US Presidential Election but probably not as much as he is now. What cannot be missed is description of the incident as “apparent assassination attempt.†The key word which cannot be missed is “apparent,†that is describing it as an “apparent†assassination attempt. Please read carefully. As headlines shriek about Trump having survived the assassination attempt, the word “apparent†naturally raises questions about what else can it be viewed as? It apparently suggests, that it seems like an assassination was attempted but probability of it not being so is not being side-lined. It wouldn’t be surprising if in coming days if this aspect is delved into more seriously. No, this certainly cannot be considered as a staged show.

At present, this incident draws primary attention to possible lapses in the security cover provided to Trump. The question is not simply that of the alleged shooter having positioned himself with a weapon to fire at Trump. He was beyond the distance, reportedly, covered by security. He was, reportedly, seen “crawling†on a rooftop with a weapon by a witness. How did security forces miss him? He did not shoot from window of any house or any covered area, from where his presence would not have been easy to detect. But from a rooftop. As photographs indicate, the rooftop did not provide any cover for him to hide or reach secretly without being seen by others in the vicinity on alert for Trump’s security. Hopefully, this incident also draws attention to gun-laws in USA, regarding possession of these weapons, making them easily accessible.

Certain lapses cannot be missed even after Trump ducked and survived this attempt. From one angle, the security forces must be complimented for having immediately located the “shooter.†They fired at him and he succumbed. At another level, they tried and cover Trump, but as photographs and videos indicate, this doesn’t seem to be sufficient. Did they assume that there was only one shooter? There may have been others present. Or at least this should have been adequately considered. Perhaps, it was. But Trump doesn’t seem to be under complete cover of security personnel around him. This is suggested by his head, face and shoulders being visible on photographs and videos. If they weren’t, his expressions after the incident together with blood on his face and ears wouldn’t be dominating media. What is significant is that this indicates, he wasn’t fully covered by his security and probably still remained at risk, particularly if there were other shooters in the area. Or were they all caught off-guard by what happened? Or did Trump remain adamant about being given the chance to raise his fist and talk before being whisked off the stage? This was equivalent to placing himself at risk. Opinions are also being voiced about women included among secret service agents to protect Trump being too short to protect him. The issue is not simply of their height. Of greater significance is that his security personnel failed to cover him totally and also, as videos reveal, were a little slow. Please note. He remained fully covered till he remained on ground but not after he was on his feet again. Of course, he is lucky, he had his way, all in style of a political hero with media-shots making their contribution.

Nevertheless, Trump must be credited for having kept his cool throughout. He is probably also pleased about this having increased his chances of heading for White House once again. But this doesn’t erase questions being raised about credibility of security provided in USA to their former President. After all, United States- the only superpower- is viewed as the most powerful country. But if its prowess displays limitations in providing security to its own former President, this is bound to raise questions about its strength. Undeniably, the security forces have become extra-cautious since the shooting incident. There has also been case of a knife-wielding man being shot at and killed in Milwaukee, which has enraged the residents there. The man was supposed to be homeless and mentally distressed. Killing “suspects†is not going to answer questions linked with lapses displayed leading to assassination attempt in Pennsylvania. It may also be noted, the incident does not prevent questions from surfacing about the whole country being shaken by a shooting incident having injured their former President. Perhaps, this may compel power holders in USA to start giving more importance to how lives of thousands, particularly Palestinians, are being shaken and snatched away. Hopefully, it does!

(Author: Nilofar Suhrawardy is a senior journalist and writer with specialisation in communication studies and nuclear diplomacy. She has come out with several books. These include:— Modi’s Victory, A Lesson for the Congress…? (2019); Arab Spring, Not Just a Mirage! (2019), Image and Substance, Modi’s First Year in Office (2015) and Ayodhya Without the Communal Stamp, In the Name of Indian Secularism (2006))