Two years after the assassination attempt on then-President Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, a witness has reflected on the events and the sacrifice of firefighter Corey Comperatore. Jondavid "JD" Longo, chairman of AFPI Pennsylvania and then-mayor of Slippery Rock, recounted the incident, which occurred on July 13, 2022, during a speech at the Butler Farm Show grounds.
Longo described the moment gunfire erupted, recalling his Marine training kicking in as he pulled his wife to the ground and urged others to do the same. He witnessed Comperatore shield his wife and daughters with his body, saving their lives at the cost of his own. In the immediate aftermath, Trump, though wounded, emerged bloodied and defiant, raising his fist and rallying supporters with a cry to "Fight! Fight! Fight!"
"In the chaos of a single moment, we saw both the best and the worst of humanity. Evil exists. Courage does, too," Longo wrote. He characterized Comperatore as "the very best of us," a man who gave his life in service to his family and whose sacrifice continues to be honored by his wife and daughters through advocacy.
The attack, Longo noted, had a galvanizing effect on the community and the America First movement. He stated that the failed attempt on Trump's life clarified what was at stake and that Americans responded by returning Trump to the White House. Longo connected this to Trump's current policy objectives, including border security, energy production, school choice, and support for veterans and law enforcement.
Longo emphasized that anniversaries of such events serve as reminders of survival and opportunities to recommit to the strength demanded by those moments. He called for better protection of leaders and citizens who assemble peacefully, and for continued support of law enforcement and military personnel, drawing a parallel to Comperatore's final act. The message, he concluded, is one of resolve: "We will not be intimidated. We will not forget the hero who gave everything on that field. And we will not let down the next generation... who deserve an America that is safe, strong, and true to its founding promise."