Andrew Jackson Survives Assassination Attempt

Summary

In the heated political climate of Jacksonian America, the president faced fierce opposition over policies like the Bank War and Indian removal. After attending a congressional funeral at the U.S. Capitol on January 30, 1835, Jackson exited when unemployed house painter Richard Lawrence fired two pistols at close range from behind a pillar. Both weapons misfired, possibly due to damp powder. The 67-year-old Jackson charged his attacker with a cane until bystanders, including Davy Crockett, subdued Lawrence, who was later deemed insane. The incident marked the first known assassination attempt on a sitting U.S. president.

Why It Matters

It exposed early security gaps for American leaders and reinforced Jackson's reputation for personal courage amid partisan violence. The event prompted gradual improvements in presidential protection protocols that evolved into modern Secret Service practices.

Related Portfolio Site

Assassination Attempts: Documents the first assassination attempt on a U.S. president.

Sources

1. Attempted assassination of Andrew Jackson, Wikipedia. Accessed 2026-07-08.
2. One Good Fact about Presidential Assassination Attempts, Britannica. Accessed 2026-07-08.