One year after a gunman nearly assassinated Donald Trump at a campaign rally, the small town of Butler, Pennsylvania, is reflecting on the events that thrust it into the national spotlight. On July 13, 2024, just minutes into Trump's speech to a crowd of 15,000, Thomas Matthew Crooks fired eight shots from an assault rifle, striking four individuals, including Trump himself. The attack resulted in the death of Corey Comperatore, a firefighter who shielded his family from the gunfire, while two others were seriously injured.

Butler Mayor Bob Dandoy expressed the lingering "shock and sorrow" felt by the community of 13,000 residents. He emphasized the importance of moving forward, stating, "The attack on them was an attack on all of us and an attempt to stifle those rights." Dandoy noted that the community has shown remarkable unity and strength in the aftermath of the tragedy. He believes that mutual respect and civil discourse should be common goals for the residents.

Susan Norman, a local resident who witnessed the shooting, described the chaos that ensued. "We heard the shots. We saw him fall, and from our angle, we didn't know if they killed him or what," she recalled. Norman, a devout Christian, attributed Trump's survival to divine intervention, saying, "I truthfully believe that God intervened and saved his life to use him as a vessel to save our country."

In the wake of the assassination attempt, the Secret Service faced scrutiny for its security failures. Anthony Guglielmi, the agency's chief of communications, admitted, "We failed on July 13, 2024. Every day since, we have worked tirelessly to ensure that such a tragedy can never happen again." The agency has since implemented significant reforms and improvements to its processes and technology.

Trump himself reflected on the incident in a recent interview, acknowledging the mistakes made by the Secret Service. He stated, "They should have had somebody in the building. There were mistakes made... But I was satisfied in terms of the bigger plot." Trump also mentioned that he still feels a "throbbing" sensation in his right ear from the bullet that grazed him during the attack.

The assassination attempt has had a lasting impact on Trump and his supporters. Roger Stone, a longtime adviser, noted that Trump believes he was spared by God for a purpose. "He told me directly that he believes he was spared by God for the purpose of restoring the nation to greatness," Stone said. Steve Bannon, Trump's former chief strategist, echoed this sentiment, stating, "There’s something very different about President Trump today post that assassination attempt."

The community continues to honor the memory of Corey Comperatore, with events like "Corey’s Cruise," a memorial motorcycle ride that attracted over 1,000 participants. His family remembers him as a devoted father and a man of compassion. His widow, Helen, has been vocal about the need for accountability from the Secret Service, calling their actions "garbage" and demanding answers for the failures that led to her husband's death.

As Butler reflects on the past year, the community remains united in its resolve to move forward while honoring those affected by the tragic events of July 13.