The recent assassination attempt on former President Trump was a sobering reminder of the ever-present threats faced by high-profile individuals in Gun-land America and the impossible job the Secret Service agents face daily.
As a former Navy SEAL sniper, experienced in close protection details, minutes after the shooting my friends started asking questions, so here are my thoughts.
Hard fact, if the shooter was well trained Trump would not live to see July 14th, 2024.
At 200 yards, anyone trained on a rifle can shoot a golf ball repeatedly and a trained sniper knows this is an easy headshot, a tap in golf putt, even with iron sights.
I suspect the shooter had some type of optic, whether it had a zoom feature or was just a red dot remains a question unanswered.
Based on the rooftop vantage point and the range likely involved, it’s likely the shooter used a precision rifle, possibly an AR-15 platform likely chambered for 5.56 ammunition. The same cartridge used by most U.S. warfighters overseas.
The 5.56 is a terrible round with very little stopping power but can be deadly with a headshot.
The shooter was obviously inexperienced and likely had a case of the shakes from nerves. We train this out of our sniper students in the SEAL Teams after many stress drills and the use of positive psychology, visualization techniques and muscle memory.
The average muzzle velocity for such rifles can vary depending on the type of ammunition but typically has a muzzle velocity of about 2,800-3,000 feet per second for an AR-15.
The speed of sounds travels at 1100 feet per second. When the bullet flies over your head you hear a snapping sound, which is the bullet’s version of a jet’s sonic boom, although much quieter.
The shooter was reportedly seen crawling on a rooftop before taking the shot with local police scrambling to make sense of it all. This suggests a significant lapse in situational awareness and perimeter security. I would guess the Secret Service agents didn’t have a primary point of contact with the local police.
What do I mean by this?
I mean a real-time radio channel linking one of their agents to the local police representative to pass information back and forth between units. It seems like the police were onto the shooter well before the shots took place and could have instantly tipped of Trump’s agents before the first shot rang out.
In these types of situations, seconds make the difference between a hit or a miss and communication and coordination between units is key and usually extremely challenging when working between Federal and local law enforcement agencies. Big egos, different operating procedures can also add to the difficulty.
A public outdoors space like this is also extremely challenging for any protection detail and the agents involved should be applauded for their actions after the shots were fired.
It also appears from the number and different sounds of the follow on shots that counter snipers or law enforcement shooters engaged the wannabe assassin immediately after Trump takes cover.
Author with an SR-25 (7.62) sniper rifle in Afghanistan
Conclusion
This assassination attempt underscores the unpredictable and volatile nature of the current political climate and a country where guns are as prevalent as Starbucks coffee in our daily lives.
Former President Trump is likely to face increased threats as the election approaches, which will undoubtedly elevate his profile and further polarize public opinion. It is imperative that his security detail adapts and evolves to meet these challenges head-on.
As for the deep state conspiracy theories pushed by Alex Jones?
I have only one thing to say, you can’t fix stupid or crazy.
In the coming months, expect political tensions to rise, making robust security protocols not just a necessity but a critical component of any public appearance.
The key is to always be one step ahead of those who seek to do harm.
P.S.
If you’re interested in what it takes to train as a Navy SEAL sniper I’d suggest my first book, The Red Cirlce, and also the book I wrote about the Navy SEAL sniper course, The Killing School. Both are available on Amazon and most places books are sold.
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Disclaimer: SOFREP utilizes AI for image generation and article research. Occasionally, it’s like handing a chimpanzee the keys to your liquor cabinet. It’s not always perfect and if a mistake is made, we own up to it full stop. In a world where information comes at us in tidal waves, it is an important tool that helps us sift through the brass for live rounds.