Near Misses: 10 Close Calls in U.S. Political History

Presidents Day always brings out the history nerd in us. And some of the most memorable “how did they survive that?” moments in U.S. political history come down to ordinary things. A folded speech. A glasses case. A split-second decision by someone in the crowd.

It’s fascinating, and honestly a little humbling, how often luck, timing, or everyday objects changed the outcome.

Of course, the whole point of protection is not having to rely on luck. That’s why we’re fans of purpose-built layers like body armor. Still, these close calls are worth a read, because they show how quickly “normal” can turn into “not normal.”

1) Theodore Roosevelt: The speech in his pocket that took the hit (1912)

While campaigning in Milwaukee, Theodore Roosevelt was shot on his way to give a speech. The bullet still struck him, but the thick, folded manuscript and a metal eyeglass case in his breast pocket helped slow it down. Then, in classic Roosevelt fashion, he went on to address the crowd anyway.

Our solution? The Discreet Executive Vest is perfect for ultra-concealable armor under a suit.

2) President-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt: A bullet fragment that became a museum piece (1933)

Before FDR was inaugurated, shots rang out at a public appearance in Miami. Roosevelt was not hit, but others were. The Roosevelt Library even preserves a lead bullet fragment tied to that incident.

3) Harry Truman: The day Blair House became the front line (1950)

During renovations to the White House, President Truman was staying at Blair House when attackers confronted guards outside. Officer Leslie Coffelt, stationed in a guard booth, was mortally wounded but still managed to stop one of the attackers. It’s one of those incidents that makes you realize presidential security is not just planning. It’s people making impossible decisions in seconds.

4) George Wallace: The handshake line that changed everything (1972)

As a presidential candidate, Wallace stepped off a platform to greet supporters. In the chaos that followed, Wallace was shot, and others were injured too, including a Secret Service agent. The moment instantly altered the trajectory of his campaign and the rest of his life.

5) Gerald Ford: Two attempts in 17 days, & two “small” interruptions that mattered (1975)

In Sacramento, Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme raised a handgun toward President Ford. A Secret Service agent intervened so quickly that he physically blocked the weapon from firing.

Seventeen days later in San Francisco, Sara Jane Moore fired at Ford. A bystander, Oliver Sipple, grabbed her arm as she pulled the trigger, knocking the shot off course. Two separate moments, both decided by inches and reflexes.

6) George W. Bush: A live grenade that didn’t detonate (2005)

At a public event in Tbilisi, Georgia, a grenade was thrown toward President Bush and the Georgian president. It landed close enough to be a real threat, but it failed to explode. The FBI later reported on the case and the conviction overseas.

7) Bill Clinton: Gunfire at the White House fence line (1994)

One afternoon, a shooter opened fire from outside the north fence of the White House, sending rounds toward the building. According to the White House briefing that day, no one was injured and the suspect was subdued. It’s a stark reminder that “protected location” does not always mean “quiet location.”

8) Bill Clinton and the First Family: A stolen plane on the South Lawn (1994)

Later that same year, a small aircraft penetrated restricted airspace and crashed on the White House grounds in the early morning hours. No one inside the White House was harmed, but the incident raised serious questions about airspace enforcement and response time.

9) The Obama White House: Shots that took days to fully register (2011)

In 2011, shots fired at the White House struck parts of the building. Federal court and DOJ materials describe investigators finding multiple bullet impact points and recovering bullets from the White House. Later oversight discussions highlighted how slowly the situation was recognized internally.

10) The Obama White House: A fence jump that went farther than most people realized (2014)

In 2014, a fence jumper crossed the North Lawn and made it inside the White House before being tackled. Reporting at the time stated he got farther than initially believed, near the East Room. A congressional hearing shortly after captured just how seriously lawmakers took the breach, especially with the First Family living in the residence.

What these stories have in common

A lot of these moments turn on ordinary “stuff.” A speech in a pocket. A hand grabbing an arm at the exact right second. A failure to connect dots quickly enough. That’s the uncomfortable truth. History is full of near misses.

That’s also why it’s smart to choose a layer of protection you can actually count on, instead of hoping the day’s lucky object is a folded stack of paper. Body armor is not about paranoia. It’s about having one practical layer that does its job, quietly, while you go live your life.