Here’s a factual comparison of known assassination attempts and serious plots against Joe Biden and Barack Obama.
Joe Biden (as President and former President)
Biden has faced multiple credible threats and plots, but none resulted in shots being fired at him or a close graze like the Trump incidents.
Notable cases:
– May 2023 (White House): Sai Varshith Kandula drove a rented U-Haul truck into a barrier near the White House. He had a Nazi flag and told officers he wanted to “kill the president” and seize power. He never reached Biden or breached the grounds effectively.
– August 2023 (Utah): Craig DeLeeuw Robertson, who made online threats to assassinate Biden (and others), was killed by FBI agents during a warrant service.
– June 2024 plot: Adam Benjamin Hall (Alabama) traveled to Atlanta intending to kill Biden during the presidential debate but went to the wrong building. He was later charged with interstate stalking.
– Other cases involved online threats, individuals with weapons planning attacks, or foiled plots that never got close. No gunfire directed at Biden occurred.
Summary for Biden: Mostly disrupted plots, threats, and one vehicle incident. Secret Service and law enforcement stopped them before any direct attack on Biden.
Barack Obama (during his presidency)
Obama faced numerous threats and plots — more documented serious ones than many recent presidents, partly due to his historic status as the first Black president, which drew white supremacist and extremist attention.
Key incidents:
– 2008 Denver DNC plot: Three men (white supremacists) planned to shoot Obama with a high-powered rifle during his acceptance speech. They were arrested before the event.
– November 2011 White House shooting: Oscar Ramiro Ortega-Hernandez fired multiple shots from a rifle at the White House (Obama was not there). He was charged with attempted assassination and sentenced to 25 years. Bullets hit the residence.
– Other plots included:
– 2008–2009 white supremacist murder sprees targeting Obama.
– Military-related plots (e.g., FEAR militia).
– Islamist threats and various lone actors.
– A 2009 plot in Turkey with forged press credentials.
Obama’s administration saw at least a dozen credible threats or plots that led to arrests and convictions.
Comparison to Trump Attempts
– Trump (2024–2026): Three high-profile incidents, including one where shots were fired and grazed his ear (Butler), one stopped at a golf course, and one at the WHCA Dinner.
– Biden & Obama: Far more emphasis on preemptive arrests of plotters. No equivalent public shooting incidents where the target was directly in the line of fire and injured.
– All modern presidents face dozens to hundreds of threats annually. The Secret Service investigates thousands, but only a tiny fraction become serious attempts.
Bottom line: Presidential protection is extremely difficult. Biden and Obama had serious threats neutralized by intelligence and law enforcement, while Trump’s recent cases involved more visible breaches. Each highlights ongoing challenges with perimeters, intelligence sharing, and determined attackers.