Trump makes striking security confession after assassination attempt

US President Donald Trump made notable statements regarding the shooting he suffered at his rally in Pennsylvania on July 13, 2024. Speaking to his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, on Fox News on the first anniversary of the assassination attempt, Trump pointed to security lapses, saying, "Mistakes were made that shouldn't have happened." He stated that the FBI and Secret Service had briefed him numerous times following the attack, and that he was satisfied with this information. He also described the failure to deploy a security officer to the building where the attacker was located as a mistake. He also noted the lack of effective communication with local police and emphasized the unacceptability of these errors.

President Trump expressed his strong confidence in law enforcement despite security lapses. He compared the presidency to dangerous professions like race car driving or rodeo riding, saying, "Being president is the most dangerous of them all."

Trump also answered questions about the Texas floods that occurred on July 4th, which claimed the lives of 129 people and left 150 missing. He argued that warning systems were activated too early and multiple times, adding that the area affected by the disaster was extremely dangerous and that people were adequately warned, but it happened late at night. Expressing his deep sorrow for the events as president, Trump said, “You lead a country, and you don't want anything bad to happen. But unfortunately, that's not how life works.”

During the approximately 30-minute interview, Trump also harshly criticized his predecessor, Joe Biden, saying, “He was the worst president in the history of our country. No one has ever done more damage to our country, and now we’re fixing it.” Defending his previous moves on immigration policies, tax cuts, and tariffs, Trump said some of his past cabinet hires were “idiots,” but that his current team is comprised of “great people.”

At the end of the interview, when asked, "How would you like to be remembered?", Trump replied, "As someone who was good, but also as someone who saved our country. I truly believed our country was headed for collapse, on the brink. I would really like to be remembered as the man who saved our country."

On July 13, 2024, Trump was the target of an assassination attempt at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, when he was shot and killed while delivering a speech. One person was killed and two others were injured. The US Secret Service announced that the attacker had been neutralized. The FBI described the attack as an "assassination attempt" and reported that 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks was killed at the scene. Following the attempt, the Secret Service was harshly criticized for security lapses and poor communication.