Obama Assassination Fears

- Began receiving U.S. Secret Service protection in May 2007NY Daily News: Obama gets earliest-ever Secret Service detail (May 4, 2007)
- Earliest protection ever given to a presidential candidateNY Daily News: Obama gets earliest-ever Secret Service detail (May 4, 2007)
- At the time, Hillary Clinton was also receiving Secret Service protection
- Clinton was entitled as a former first lady
- Barack Obama's security detail increased to the size of a presidential detail in January 2008Washington Times: Obama gets beefed-up protection (January 7, 2008)

Due to fears of an assassination attempt, Barack Obama began receiving protection from the U.S. Secret Service as early as May 3, 2007. This is the earliest a presidential candidate has received this degree of protection in American history.NY Daily News: Obama gets earliest-ever Secret Service detail (May 4, 2007)
In August 2005, three men were arrested and charged with plotting to assassinate Obama. In a separate case, two men were taken into custody on October 22, 2008, and charged with plotting to kill the Democratic presidential candidate.*BBC News: Three arrested over 'Obama plot' (August 26, 2008) KAIT: ATF Arrests Arkansas, Tennessee Men in Plot to Kill Obama (October 27, 2008)
Israel Visit Concerns

Barack Obama's trip to Israel and the West Bank raised concerns for his security. Officials were wary of the safety of the visit since shots were fired at the Tel Aviv airport during a visit by Nicolas Sarkozy in June 2008.Drudge Report: Security Fears Shadow Obama Tour (July 18, 2008) A foot-tour of the old city in Jerusalem by Obama was canceled.Drudge Report: Security Fears Shadow Obama Tour (July 18, 2008)
Foiled Assassination Plot

In October 2008, the ATF said it had foiled a plot by neo-Nazi skinheads to assassinate Barack Obama. According to reports, suspects Paul Schlesselman of Arkansas and Daniel Cowart of Tennessee planned to go on a "killing spree" at an African-American high school before allegedly targeting Obama.KAIT: ATF Arrests Arkansas, Tennessee Men in Plot to Kill Obama (October 27, 2008)