Trump assassination attempt - 10 things to know with detail
- 1. In June 2016, British national Michael Steven Sandford attempted to assassinate then-presidential candidate Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Las Vegas, Nevada.
- 2. Sandford, who was 20 years old at the time, tried to grab a police officer's gun with the intention of shooting Trump.
- 3. Sandford had reportedly been planning the assassination attempt for a year prior to the rally.
- 4. Sandford was arrested at the scene and later charged with two federal crimes - being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm and disrupting an official function.
- 5. During his trial, Sandford's defense team argued that he suffered from mental health issues, including autism and schizophrenia, which impacted his decision-making.
- 6. Despite the defense's arguments, Sandford pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison.
- 7. Sandford was eventually deported back to the UK after serving his sentence.
- 8. The Secret Service, which is responsible for protecting the president and other high-ranking officials, takes all threats against the president seriously and investigates them thoroughly.
- 9. The attempted assassination of Trump was a stark reminder of the potential dangers faced by public figures and the need for heightened security measures.
- 10. Thankfully, the Secret Service was able to prevent any harm from coming to Trump during the rally, and Sandford was apprehended before he could carry out his plan.