Obama Assassination Threat
Since Barack Obama announced he would run for president, there have been stories of assassination plots. On October 27, 2008, it was reported that the ATF uncovered a plot by neo-Nazi skinheads to assassinate Obama. The two men arrested, Paul Schlesselman and Daniel Cowart, planned on going on a "killing spree" at an African American high school and then assassinating Obama.1
Fast Facts
- August 25, 2008: Tharin Gartrell arrested for plotting assassination of Obama
- August 2008: Also arrested: Nathan Johnson and Shawn Adolf
- October 22, 2008: Paul Schlesselman and Daniel Cowart arrested in skinhead Obama assassination plot1
- Both October and August 2008 investigations included the ATF
Assassination Attempts
On August 25, 2008, Tharin Gartrell was arrested on methamphetamine and firearms violations during a routine traffic stop in Denver, Colorado just prior to the start of the 2008 Democratic Convention. The arrests of Nathan Johnson and Shawn Adolf followed, and the three are under investigation regarding a possible plot to assassinate Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.2
Reports on August 26, 2008, said a fourth suspect may also be in custody, but no details were given.3
Concerns Not New
Concerns over a possible assassination attempt have been increasing since Obama won the Iowa caucus in January 2008. Obama, his wife Michelle and their children have been under Secret Service protection since that time. 2008 is also the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy, when he was a presidential candidate. In May 2008, Senator Hillary Clinton mentioned the Robert F. Kennedy assassination when defending her decision to stay in the primary race. The assassination of Robert F. Kennedy was the reason that Secret Service rules were modified so that presidential candidates and their families are now afforded protection.
Related Pages on Mahalo
Skinhead Obama Assassination Plot | Barack Obama | Michelle Obama | George W. Bush | John McCain | U.S. Secret Service | Raymond Hunter Geisel | Terrorism | Department of Homeland Security | Tharin Gartrell | Nathan Johnson | Shawn Adolf
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