On a quiet morning in Sacramento, California, on September 5, 1975, a dramatic and unsettling moment in American history unfolded. President Gerald Ford, who had only recently assumed the presidency after the resignation of Richard Nixon, was walking through Capitol Park on his way to meet Governor Jerry Brown. As he greeted a crowd gathered along his path, a young woman suddenly stepped forward with a loaded revolver and attempted to assassinate him. This incident, though it ended without injury to the president, sent shockwaves across the nation and heightened awareness about presidential security during a politically turbulent time in the 1970s.
The Setting: A Post-Watergate Presidency
Gerald Ford became president in August 1974 following Nixon’s resignation over the Watergate scandal. Ford inherited a nation grappling with political distrust, economic turmoil, and deep social divisions. Despite his efforts to restore public confidence, including a controversial pardon of Nixon, Ford remained a target of criticism from both the left and right. His presence in California was part of a public relations effort to connect with Americans, show transparency, and present himself as an accessible leader. Unfortunately, that openness would be tested in Sacramento.
The Would-Be Assassin: Lynette ‘Squeaky’ Fromme
The individual behind the assassination attempt was Lynette ‘Squeaky’ Fromme, a known follower of the infamous cult leader Charles Manson. Fromme, then 26 years old, had been living in Sacramento and had long maintained loyalty to Manson, despite his incarceration. She belonged to a group of Manson devotees who remained active after the group’s high-profile murder convictions.
Fromme’s motive was not directly personal or political against Ford. Instead, she claimed that her actions were aimed at drawing attention to environmental concerns and the plight of California’s redwood trees. She also expressed frustration with the government’s treatment of Manson and the broader system she believed was corrupt and indifferent. Her ideological motives were rooted in the radical countercultural movements of the 1960s and 70s.
The Assassination Attempt in Sacramento
On that September morning, President Ford exited the Senator Hotel and made his way across Capitol Park, stopping to shake hands and greet a gathered crowd. Among the onlookers was Fromme, wearing a long red robe. She suddenly raised a Colt.45-caliber semi-automatic pistol and pointed it at the president from just a few feet away. She pulled the trigger but the gun did not fire. There was no bullet in the firing chamber.
The moment was chaotic and tense. Secret Service agents quickly subdued Fromme, wrestled her to the ground, and disarmed her before any harm could occur. Ford was rushed away and remained unharmed. The incident was shocking but served as a grim reminder of how vulnerable public figures can be, even with security measures in place.
Legal Consequences and Media Reaction
Following her arrest, Fromme was charged with attempting to assassinate the president of the United States. During her trial, she showed little remorse and even claimed she had intentionally avoided chambering a bullet to make a political statement rather than actually kill Ford. Nonetheless, she was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison. She served 34 years before being released on parole in 2009.
The media extensively covered the incident, portraying Fromme as an emblem of lingering radicalism and unhealed wounds from the cultural revolutions of the previous decade. The attempt further solidified the public perception of the need for improved presidential protection.
Impact on Presidential Security
The attempt on Ford’s life led to immediate changes in how the Secret Service approached presidential security. The openness that presidents had traditionally shown walking through crowds, greeting citizens was reevaluated. Security protocols were tightened, and advance teams became more aggressive in crowd monitoring.
- Stricter Screening: Spectators at presidential events began to face more rigorous background checks and physical screenings.
- Restricted Access: The public’s proximity to presidents during public appearances was significantly reduced.
- Focus on Mental Health and Radical Groups: Authorities increased surveillance of individuals associated with extremist ideologies or who displayed mental instability.
A Second Attempt: Just Weeks Later
Remarkably, just 17 days after the Sacramento attempt, another woman attempted to assassinate Ford in San Francisco. This time, the assailant was Sara Jane Moore, a left-wing activist who managed to fire a shot but missed. The back-to-back attempts, both by women with extreme ideological motives, alarmed the nation and brought into focus the vulnerability of public figures in a politically divided America.
Ford’s Response and Legacy
President Gerald Ford responded to the assassination attempt with a calm and measured demeanor. He refused to allow fear to shape his presidency and continued to make public appearances. In a show of resilience, he even joked that he hoped his wife, Betty Ford, wouldn’t be frightened by the incident.
Ford’s handling of the events calm, collected, and devoid of dramatic overreaction won him some public respect. However, the assassination attempts became part of the broader narrative of his presidency, illustrating the volatility of the times and the risks faced by national leaders.
The Role of the 1970s Political Climate
The 1970s were a turbulent decade in American political life. The country was still reeling from Vietnam, civil rights unrest, and the Watergate scandal. Anti-government sentiment was high, and fringe political groups emerged on both ends of the ideological spectrum.
In this environment, individuals like Fromme found resonance in radical ideas and disillusionment with conventional politics. The rise of cults, underground movements, and radical activists created a breeding ground for politically motivated violence and dramatic gestures.
A Lasting Historical Footnote
The Gerald Ford assassination attempt in Sacramento stands as a powerful reminder of the fragility of public order and the unpredictable nature of political life. Though President Ford survived unscathed, the event forced a reassessment of presidential security and highlighted the ongoing tensions within American society during the 1970s.
Lynette Fromme’s motivations, while bizarre and rooted in cult loyalty, reflected a broader discontent that simmered below the surface of American life at the time. Her actions, and the government’s response, mark a turning point in the relationship between political leadership, security, and public accessibility. Today, her failed attempt remains a historical curiosity but also a serious moment in the continuing challenge of protecting democracy and its leaders from threats, both ideological and personal.