When Presidents Stopped Shaking Hands | Little Rock News

In 1901, President William McKinley embraced public access at the Pan-American Exposition, shaking hands with fifty people per minute—no security checks in sight. This tradition, rooted in the idea that presidents serve the people, ended tragically when anarchist Leon Czolgosz assassinated him. The event triggered a permanent shift: Secret Service protection became standard, and since then, politicians have become increasingly shielded from direct public contact. While safety is paramount, this distancing erodes the vital human connection democracy needs—turning leaders into distant figures and citizens into mere numbers. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/8b9628f4fae1a253