10 Biggest Security Failures in American History

10 Biggest Security Failures in American History

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at the most shocking moments in American history that left the world questioning just how secure the country is.

Jonathan James’ NASA Hack (1999)

As the twentieth century neared its conclusion, cybercrimes went from science fiction to a reality with consequences beyond the digital realm. The most prominent wake-up call arguably came in 1999 when NASA and the Department of Defense got hacked. More than 3,300 emails were intercepted with user names and passwords stolen. Who breached this seemingly impenetrable security system? Jonathan James, aka “c0mrade,” the 15-year-old son of a computer programmer. NASA shut down its computers for 21 days while James was apprehended in early 2000. Pleading guilty to accessing 13 computers, James received seven months under house arrest and probation. James didn’t cause irrevocable harm, but if a Florida teenager could breach government systems, there was little stopping others as cyberterrorism became an urgent threat.

The Attempted Assassination of Ronald Reagan (1981)

Ronald Reagan was only a couple of months into his first term as president when John Hinckley Jr. - fuelled by his obsession with Jodie Foster - opened fire outside the Washington Hilton. Reagan was left in critical condition, but survived following emergency surgery. Officer Thomas Delahanty, Secret Service agent Tim McCarthy, and White House press secretary James Brady were also wounded, the latter succumbing to his injuries over 30 years later. Jerry Parr, the special agent who pushed Reagan into his limousine, was praised for saving the president’s life, as was McCarthy for taking a bullet for him. However, the fact that Hinckley came so close to assassinating Reagan revealed how easily civilians could approach a president without being meticulously scanned, changing security protocols moving forward.

National Security Agency Breach (2013)

Sometimes, U.S. security is so focused on outside threats that they overlook what’s right under their noses. In 2013, NSA contractor Edward Snowden released classified documents that exposed the government’s worldwide surveillance programs. Criminal charges were brought against Snowden, who had already fled the country, receiving asylum in Russia. To some, Snowden is a traitor to his nation. To others, he’s a hero who exposed the reach of Big Brother. Whatever your opinion of Snowden is, most would agree that this massive intelligence leak did little to encourage faith in the NSA. Ironically, the NSA attempted to put the world under a magnifying glass. Now all eyes were on the NSA, leading to some of their programs - like mass phone surveillance - being ruled illegal.

The Attempted Assassination(s) of Gerald Ford (1975)

In September 1975, President Gerald Ford was nearly assassinated not once, but twice. Visiting Sacramento, Ford came within hand-shaking distance of Manson Family member Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme, who planned to shoot the president with an M1911 pistol. Fromme might’ve succeeded if the gun hadn’t been improperly loaded, allowing the Secret Service to apprehend her. Only 17 days later in San Francisco, another woman targeted the president. From a crowd 40 feet away, Sara Jane Moore fired at Ford. After missing once, Moore took another shot when a Vietnam War veteran Oliver Sipple grabbed her arm. Sipple’s intervention caused the bullet to miss Ford, instead hitting taxi driver John Ludwig, who sustained minor injuries. Following back-to-back security failures, Ford began wearing a bulletproof trenchcoat in public.

Las Vegas Mass Shooting (2017)

The surge of mass shootings in the U.S. has sparked many conversations about gun control. The 2017 Las Vegas shooting was no exception. Occurring during the Route 91 Harvest music festival, it remains America’s deadliest shooting carried out by a single person, Stephen Craig Paddock. Beyond gun violence, this tragedy got people talking about security or lack thereof. Hundreds of victims pursued legal action against MGM Resorts International, citing insufficient surveillance, improperly trained staff, and slow response. Paddock, a high-stakes gambler, also had VIP privileges that allegedly enabled him to execute this attack. Attorney C. Chad Pinkerton, who represented multiple victims and their families, called the shooting, “the largest venue security failure in U.S. history.” In 2020, an $800 million settlement was reached.

The Attempted Assassination of Donald Trump (2024)

At a 2016 rally, Michael Steven Sandford attempted to pull a gun out of an officer’s holster, targeting Donald Trump. Sandford was apprehended, but the future president came closer to assassination eight years later. At another rally in Pennsylvania, Thomas Matthew Crooks fired eight shots from a neighboring building, which the Secret Service had flagged as a possible vulnerability. Before a Secret Service sniper took him down, Crooks killed bystander Corey Comperatore, critically injured two others, and hit Trump’s upper right ear. Weeks earlier, the Secret Service gained intel on an Iranian plot to assassinate Trump. Although this was unrelated to Crooks, the additional security measures taken had little impact. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle called the incident “unacceptable,” although she won’t be stepping down.

January 6 Capitol Attack (2021)

Months after Joe Biden was elected America’s 46th president, thousands stormed the U.S. Capitol Building hoping to overturn the results. This act of domestic terrorism didn’t succeed, but it left several dead and numerous people injured with millions in damages. Some blamed Donald Trump, who spoke at the “Save America” rally shortly before the attack. In any case, January 6 spoke volumes about national security. While the attack came as a surprise to some, the FBI and Homeland Security were accused of not taking online threats seriously. The National Park Service was criticized for not properly reviewing the “Save America” rally. Capitol Police was also ill-equipped to handle such an attack, although initial steps have been taken to prevent another incident.

The Assassination of John F. Kennedy (1963)

Before November 22, 1963, three U.S. presidents had been assassinated in office: Abraham Lincoln, James Garfield, and William McKinley. After McKinley died in 1901, the Secret Service became a presidential mandate. The idea of a sitting president being assassinated seemed like a thing of the past until John F. Kennedy’s limousine passed the Texas School Book Depository. Shooter Lee Harvey Oswald killed Kennedy in addition to wounding Texas Governor John Connally and a bystander James Tague. Investigations suggested that nearly a half-dozen Secret Security agents had been out drinking the night before. Some argued Kennedy was wreckless, wanting to drive in an open-top vehicle with security keeping a distance. Even so, JFK’s assassination - along with his brother’s five years later - reshaped the Secret Service.

Attack on Pearl Harbor (1941)

By December 7, 1941, World War II had been underway for two years with America sitting on the sidelines. The U.S. officially joined the war after the Japanese military attacked Pearl Harbor’s naval station, claiming more than 2,000 American lives. Although often described as a surprise attack, there were several warning signs. In January 1941, Ambassador Joseph Grew informed the U.S. State Department of a rumor that Japan planned to bomb Pearl Harbor. Even as tensions between the U.S. and Japan became more evident, Grew’s prediction of an attack went ignored. A lack of coordination between the U.S. Navy and Army also left Pearl Harbor vulnerable. For 60 years, it’d stand alone as the most infamous day in American history.

September 11 Attacks (2001)

Eight years after the World Trade Center bombing, another terrorist attack raised security concerns to unprecedented levels. Along with the Twin Towers, plane hijackers targeted the Pentagon and a third location. The latter aircraft didn’t reach its destination thanks to the brave passengers, but September 11 was nonetheless defined by tragedy. The Bush administration would be accused of ignoring intelligence pointing to a possible attack. Whether or not 9/11 could’ve been prevented, this failure of security isn’t restricted to one politician or organization. Limited resources and communication are just some of the variables that led to the unthinkable. Over the next decades, U.S. security underwent a significant overhaul. For all the improvements, security remains a pressing issue with some threats hitting closer to home.

Which moment in U.S. history left you feeling insecure? Let us know in the comments.