A Look At The Assassination Attempt Against William Taft

Several other attempts of various seriousness to assassinate William Howard Taft were foiled during Taft's only term, but one had graver consequences than the rest. In October 1909, a historic meeting was set between Taft and Mexican president Porfirio Diaz. It would be the first meeting between the heads of state of the two countries, and the first time an American president would step over the U.S.-Mexico border. They agreed on meeting at the Chamizal strip between El Paso, Texas, and Ciudad Juarez. It was considered disputed — but neutral — territory, and they agreed that no flags of either country would fly during the meeting. However, as news of the meeting began to circulate, a massive influx of assassination threats against both presidents began to raise concerns. 

On the day of the summit — even with Texas Rangers, U.S. and Mexican troops, Secret Service agents, FBI agents, and U.S. Marshals present — one man carrying a pistol sat along the route both presidents would be taking just moments later. A Texas Ranger spotted, disarmed, and restrained the man as Taft and Diaz passed just feet away. According to Charles H. Harris III and Louis R. Sadler, in their book, The Secret War in El Paso, Taft made light of the assassination attempt, "If anyone wanted to get me he couldn't very well missed such an easy target."

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