Sunday marked one year since the dramatic and near-fatal assassination attempt on U.S. President Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania—a moment that shocked the world and reshaped the trajectory of the 2024 U.S. presidential race.

On that fateful day, 20-year-old Thomas Crooks opened fire from a rooftop near the rally venue. One of the bullets grazed Trump’s ear, narrowly missing his head. The attack left one attendee dead and two others critically injured. Crooks was swiftly neutralized by law enforcement on the scene.

The attempted assassination highlighted growing concerns about political violence in America. Just two months after the Butler incident, authorities thwarted another suspected plot targeting Trump. Ryan Routh, who was arrested after allegedly attempting to ambush Trump at a Florida golf course, is facing a raft of federal and state charges.

According to federal prosecutors, a member of Trump’s security detail spotted what appeared to be the barrel of a firearm emerging from nearby bushes while Trump played golf. Routh fled the scene but was apprehended shortly afterward. He has remained in federal custody since the incident.

Routh has pleaded not guilty to charges including attempted assassination, assaulting a federal officer, multiple firearms violations, terrorism, and attempted murder. He recently informed a federal judge of his intention to dismiss his court-appointed legal team and represent himself at trial, which is expected to begin in September.

In a statement marking the anniversary of the Butler attack, Trump reflected on the experience, attributing his survival to divine intervention. “It remains my firm conviction that God alone saved me to restore our beloved Republic to greatness,” he said.

As the country looks ahead to the upcoming election season, the events of the past year serve as a sobering reminder of the volatile climate surrounding American politics—and the enduring risks faced by its highest-profile figures.