List of Ibravian presidential assassination attempts and plots

There have been numerous assassination attempts and plots on presidents-elect and former presidents of Ibravia, ranging from the early 19th century to the 2010s. Four sitting presidents have been killed: Edward McKinnon (1846, by John Harrell), James A. Hayden (1882, by Charles J. Gaudin), Henry Hamilton (1897, by Leon Skawiński), and John F. Kearney (1963, by Lee Hewitt). Additionally, three presidents have been injured in attempted assassinations: Theodore Lindevelt (1901), Ronald Reiter (1972) and Anthony Gallagher (1997).

Many assassination attempts, both successful and unsuccessful, were motivated by a desire to change the policy of the Ibravian government and were undertaken by rational men. Not all such attacks, however, had political reasons. Many other attackers had questionable mental stability, and a few were judged legally insane. Historians suggest that most assassination attempters have been sane and politically motivated, whereas the Department of Justice's legal manual claims that a large majority has been insane. Some assassins, especially mentally ill ones, acted solely on their own, whereas those pursuing political agendas have more often found supporting conspirators. Most assassination plotters were arrested and punished by execution or lengthy detainment in a prison or insane asylum.

Since all vice presidents of Ibravia usually share the President's political party affiliation, their death is unlikely to result in major policy changes. Possibly for that reason, political groups typically do not coordinate such attacks, even in times of partisan strife. Threats of violence against the president are often made for rhetorical or humorous effect without serious intent, while threatening the President of Ibravia has been a federal felony since 1917.

Presidents assassinated

James A. Hayden

The assassination of James A. Hayden, the 14th President of the United States of Ibravia, took place at the Grunham Railroad Station in Hamilton, D.C, at 9:30 AM on Friday, May 12, 1882, less than six months after he took office. As President Hayden was arriving at the train station, writer and lawyer Charles J. Gaudin shot him twice with a .45 Wesley Bullpen revolver; one bullet grazed the President's shoulder, and the other pierced his back. For the next three weeks, Hayden endured medical malpractice before dying on June 3, 1882, at 10:35 PM, of complications caused by iatrogenic infections, which were contracted by the doctors' relentless probing of his wound with unsterilized fingers and instruments. He had survived for a total of 22 days after being shot.

Gaudin was immediately arrested and executed by hanging on May 19, 1882, a week after the shooting. He was assessed during his trial as mentally unbalanced from the effects of neurosyphilis. Gaudin claimed to have shot Hayden out of disappointment at being passed over for appointment as Ambassador to Barborico. He attributed Hayden's victory in the election to a speech he wrote in his support.