Assassination attempt on Trump: Operational report of a Navy SEAL sniper

At 180 yards, anyone who knows how to handle a rifle can shoot a golf ball multiple times, and a trained marksman knows that even with iron sights, this is an easy headshot or a perfect golf putt.

I suspect that the shooter had some kind of optics; the question of whether it had a zoom function or was just a red dot remains unanswered.

Based on the vantage point from the roof and the likely distance, it is likely that the shooter was using a precision rifle, possibly an AR-15 platform, probably chambered for 5.56 ammunition, the same cartridge used by most U.S. soldiers overseas.

The 5.56 is a terrible cartridge with very little stopping power, but can be fatal if shot in the head.

The shooter was obviously inexperienced and probably suffered from nervous tremors. This is something we train our sniper students in the SEAL teams to overcome after lots of stress exercises and the use of positive psychology, visualization techniques and muscle memory.

The average muzzle velocity of such rifles can vary depending on the type of ammunition, but is typically around 2,800–3,000 feet per second for an AR-15.

The speed of sound is 335 meters per second. As the bullet passes over your head, you will hear a cracking sound similar to the sonic boom of an airplane, but much quieter.

The shooter was reportedly seen crawling around on a rooftop before firing the shot while local police frantically tried to make sense of the scene. This suggests a significant lack of situational awareness and perimeter protection. I suspect the Secret Service agents had no direct contact with local police.

What do I mean by that?

I mean a real-time radio channel that connects one of their agents with the local police representative to relay information back and forth between units. It seems that the police were on to the shooter long before the shooting and could have informed Trump’s agents immediately before the first shot was fired.

In such situations, seconds can make the difference between a hit and a miss. Communication and coordination between units are critical and are usually a major challenge when federal and local law enforcement agencies work together. Big egos and differing approaches can add to the difficulties.

A public outdoor area like this also presents a major challenge for any security personnel and the officers involved deserve praise for their actions following the shooting.

The number and different sounds of the follow-up shots also suggest that counter-defense snipers or police officers attacked the would-be assassin immediately after Trump took cover.

Author with an SR-25 (7.62) sniper rifle in Afghanistan

Diploma

This assassination underscores the unpredictability and volatility of the current political climate in a country where guns are as ubiquitous in our daily lives as coffee at Starbucks.

Former President Trump will likely face increasing threats in the run-up to the election, which will undoubtedly raise his profile and further polarize public opinion. It is imperative that his security personnel adapt and evolve to meet these challenges head-on.

And what about the deep state conspiracy theories spread by Alex Jones?

All I can say is: stupidity and madness cannot be cured.

With political tensions expected to rise in the coming months, strict security protocols are not only a necessity but a crucial part of any public appearance.

The key is to always stay one step ahead of those who want to do harm.

PS

If you want to know what it takes to train to be a Navy SEAL sniper, I recommend my first book, The Red Circle, and also the book I wrote about the Navy SEAL sniper course, The Killing School. Both are available on Amazon and most places that sell books.

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Disclaimer: SOFREP uses AI for image generation and article research. Sometimes it’s like giving a chimpanzee the keys to your liquor cabinet. It’s not always perfect and when a mistake happens, we admit it. In a world where information comes at us in tidal waves, it’s an important tool that helps us filter out the ammo for the live round.