Could Butler Repeat in 2025? Secret Service Faces Unprecedented Threats to Trump
Sarah Johnson
July 12, 2025
Brief
Could another Butler assassination attempt happen in 2025? Former Secret Service agents warn of escalating threats to President Trump amid political violence.
In the wake of the harrowing 2024 assassination attempt on President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, the Secret Service finds itself grappling with an unprecedented level of threats against the president. Former agents warn that the danger is not just lingering—it's escalating. With violent extremists, domestic agitators, and hostile foreign proxies in the mix, the question looms large: could another Butler happen in 2025?
Unmatched Threats
According to Bill Gage, a veteran Secret Service agent from the Bush and Obama eras, no U.S. president has ever faced such a barrage of violent threats as Trump does today. From the tragic Butler rally—where a gunman’s bullet grazed Trump’s ear, injured two others, and killed firefighter Corey Comperatore—to a subsequent attempt at Trump’s Florida golf club, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Gage points to inflammatory political rhetoric as a potential catalyst, suggesting that portraying Trump as a threat to democracy could inspire radicals to act.
Political Firestorm
The rhetoric isn’t just background noise. Comments from figures like California Governor Gavin Newsom, who called democracy 'under assault' amid federal troop deployments in his state, are seen by some as fuel for potential violence. Gage warns that such statements could resonate with those harboring ill intent toward the president. Beyond Trump, federal immigration officials are also increasingly targeted, with recent attacks on Border Patrol agents in Texas underscoring a broader wave of politically motivated violence.
Secret Service Under Pressure
While the Secret Service has rolled out reforms post-Butler, including enhanced drone surveillance and upgraded radio communications, vulnerabilities persist. Tim Miller, another former agent from the Bush and Clinton years, notes the agency’s struggle to keep pace with sophisticated threats and modern technology. A bipartisan House task force labeled the Butler incident 'preventable,' citing critical lapses like failing to secure a nearby high-risk area and breakdowns in communication and planning.
A Path Forward?
Immediate changes are underway—more agents for Trump’s detail, increased funding for hires, and even plans for a White House replica for training. Yet, with nearly 50 recommendations issued by Congress and threats evolving daily, the Secret Service’s mission remains daunting. As reforms continue, the nation watches, hoping history doesn’t repeat itself.
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Editor's Comments
Look, the Secret Service is playing whack-a-mole with threats popping up faster than a carnival game on steroids. Between domestic hotheads and foreign proxies, Trump’s security detail might need a crystal ball more than drones. And let’s talk rhetoric—some politicians are tossing verbal Molotov cocktails, then acting shocked when someone lights a match. Here’s a joke: Why don’t Secret Service agents play hide and seek? Because good luck hiding when every rooftop’s a potential stage! Let’s hope they nail these reforms before the encore nobody wants.
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