Why Attempting to Kill Trump Only Makes Things Worse

Cole Allen, a 31-year-old from California, recently tried to breach security at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner armed with a gun, aiming to assassinate President Trump. Charged with attempted assassination, Allen’s case remains murky, but the bigger lesson is clear: violence against the president will not fix what ails this country.

Allen’s motives stem from a profound moral injury—a sense that Trump’s corruption and abuses implicate all citizens, including himself. In his manifesto, Allen calls Trump a “pedophile, rapist, and traitor” and rejects complicity in oppression. This raw moral outrage is understandable in an era where a corrupt administration weaponizes government for personal gain and justice feels painfully slow or absent.

But Allen’s logic is deeply flawed. Killing Trump would likely backfire, transforming the president into a martyr for the MAGA cult—a movement already steeped in conspiracy and myth. As Trump’s coalition fractures under the weight of his failures, assassination attempts risk rallying his base and reigniting support among disillusioned fence sitters.

Moreover, political violence tends to provoke counter-violence, escalating chaos rather than restoring democracy. The attempt may even deepen the rift between the White House press corps and the administration, weakening the vital role of accountability journalism.

The truth is that quick, violent fixes don’t work against authoritarianism masquerading as populism. The only path forward is through democratic organizing, relentless civic engagement, and lawful resistance. We must resist the temptation of instant justice and instead build the power to hold corrupt leaders accountable through the ballot box and the rule of law.

Violence against the president is not the answer. It never was. The fight for democracy requires patience, numbers, and unyielding commitment—not bullets.