Former First Lady Melania Trump has publicly voiced her concern and demanded answers following an assassination attempt on her husband, former President Donald Trump. 

The attempted assassination took place on July 13, 2024, during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The attack, which killed one audience member and injured Trump and two others, has drawn criticism regarding security measures at the event.

In a video posted to her social media accounts on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, Melania called the experience “horrible” and expressed her frustrations over the lack of information about the incident. “The attempt to end my husband’s life was a horrible, distressing experience,” she said. “Now, the silence around it feels heavy.”

The video, which lasts 34 seconds, features Melania questioning why law enforcement did not prevent the attack and capture the gunman before the rally. She states, “Why didn’t law enforcement officials arrest the shooter before the speech? There is definitely more to this story, and we need to uncover the truth”

Melania Trump’s remarks have fueled conspiracy theories in some circles, though there is no evidence of any deeper plot beyond the lone shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks. Crooks, 20, had managed to fire several shots from a rooftop 130 yards away from the event before being neutralized by Secret Service agents. His motives remain unclear, though authorities have confirmed that Crooks had searched for Trump’s rally schedule in Pennsylvania, and his online history revealed searches on various explosives and assassination methods.

The assassination attempt left rally attendee Corey Comperatore dead, and Trump sustained a minor injury to his ear. Two other spectators were critically injured. The attack and its aftermath have led to intense scrutiny of the U.S. Secret Service’s security protocols at the event. 

Melania Trump, who previously issued a statement thanking law enforcement for their bravery during the attack, appears to have shifted her tone. In July, she said, “I am grateful to the brave Secret Service agents and law enforcement officials who risked their own lives to protect my husband.”

Following the incident, investigations revealed significant security failures. Homeland Security agents, rather than Secret Service agents, were reportedly responsible for much of the protection detail at the Butler rally. According to Senator Josh Hawley, these agents had only completed an online training course, which was hampered by technical difficulties. “Most of those Homeland Security agents, the only training that they received was an online webinar, a two-hour online webinar, and I’m told half the time the sound to the webinar didn’t even work,” Hawley stated.

In response to the public outcry and pressure from lawmakers, the director of the Secret Service, Kimberly Cheatle, resigned on July 23, 2024. Multiple other agents were reassigned to administrative duties as investigations into the shooting continued. These investigations have highlighted systemic failures in the agency’s coordination with local law enforcement, particularly a breakdown in communication that allowed Crooks to get into position undetected.

Despite the scrutiny surrounding the event, Donald Trump has continued his campaign and has shifted to holding rallies indoors at the recommendation of the Secret Service. Bulletproof glass has also been installed at his speaking venues, though local officials in Butler remain concerned about the security risks should Trump return for another rally.

As the investigations continue, Melania Trump’s remarks have drawn widespread attention, with her memoir, “Melania,” set to be released on October 8. The memoir is expected to cover her experience during the assassination attempt and her broader life in the public eye. Her video concludes with a message encouraging her followers to pre-order the book, which is being promoted as the story of a woman who has “overcome adversity and carved her own path”

The fallout from the assassination attempt remains significant, as both political parties navigate the heightened tensions ahead of the 2024 presidential election. While investigations are ongoing, the focus on security at political events has intensified, with some calling for reforms to prevent future attacks.