Donald Trump’s would-be forklift assassin | ASSASSINS

Key Concepts

• Gregory Leang Gang: The individual who attempted to assassinate President Trump in 2017.
• Assassination Attempt (2017): The failed plot to overturn President Trump’s motorcade using a forklift.
• Crime Spree: The series of offenses committed by Gang prior to the attempted assassination.
• Trespassing: The act of unlawfully entering private property (the oil refinery).
• Commandeering: Taking control of a vehicle (the forklift) without permission.
• Motorcade: The procession of vehicles accompanying a prominent person, in this case, the President.

The 2017 North Dakota Assassination Attempt: A Detailed Account

The incident, occurring in 2017 while President Trump was visiting North Dakota, is characterized not as a sophisticated assassination attempt, but rather as a culmination of a pre-existing “crime spree” undertaken by Gregory Leang Gang, a 42-year-old man. The event unfolded as a series of increasingly erratic actions throughout the day.

Gang initiated the day by deliberately setting two random fires. Following this, he proceeded to the local parks and recreation department where he stole a truck. This stolen vehicle was subsequently abandoned, leading Gang to continue his journey on foot. He then trespassed onto the property of an oil refinery.

Upon entering the refinery grounds, Gang “commandeered” a forklift – meaning he took control of it without authorization. His intention was to utilize this forklift to disrupt President Trump’s motorcade. However, he was unsuccessful in operating the forklift to leave the refinery property and was forced to abandon it.

Apprehension and Confession

Gang’s actions drew the attention of law enforcement. When apprehended for trespassing and the attempted theft of the forklift, he explicitly confessed his plan to officers. He stated his goal was to locate President Trump’s motorcade, specifically the presidential limousine, and “overturn it,” effectively flipping the vehicle. The stated intention was to kill President Trump by capsizing his vehicle.

Proximity and Intent

The incident occurred within the same city as President Trump’s visit, indicating Gang was aware of the presidential motorcade’s presence. The proximity highlights the potential for a successful, albeit improbable, execution of his plan. The confession clearly establishes a direct intent to harm the President.

Characterization of the Attempt

The event is notably described as not feeling like a typical “assassination attempt,” but rather an “assassination dream,” emphasizing the seemingly haphazard and illogical nature of Gang’s actions and the overall lack of planning beyond the final, desperate act of attempting to flip the presidential limousine.

Synthesis

The 2017 North Dakota incident involving Gregory Leang Gang represents a unique case of a failed assassination attempt. It wasn’t a meticulously planned operation, but a chaotic escalation of criminal activity culminating in a direct, confessed intent to harm the President. The case underscores the importance of security measures surrounding presidential visits, even in the face of seemingly irrational threats.