Netflix’s ‘Death by Lightning’ Revisits the Assassination of President James A. Garfield
The Netflix mini-series Death by Lightning explores the true story of the 20th U.S. president, James A. Garfield, focusing on how politics, pride, and medical errors turned his reform efforts into a tragic chapter in history.
Garfield’s Rise and Presidency
Portrayed by Michael Shannon, the series follows Garfield from his surprise nomination as the Republican presidential candidate to his narrow victory in 1880. Just months into his presidency, in July 1881, Garfield was shot by Charles J. Guiteau, an office-seeker played by Matthew Macfadyen.
The Motive Behind the Assassination
Guiteau believed he deserved a government position for supporting Garfield’s campaign. Although patronage appointments were common at the time, Garfield firmly backed civil service reform and merit-based hiring. After his requests were denied, Guiteau resorted to assassinating the president to remove him from office.
Aftermath and Legacy
Guiteau’s act elevated Garfield’s vice president, Chester A. Arthur (played by Nick Offerman), to become the 21st President of the United States.
“The idea of civil service reform and waging a battle to clean up the grift in our government—this is something that Garfield very much stood on the front lines of in his time,” said Mike Makowsky, creator of Death by Lightning, in an interview with Netflix’s Tudum.
Author’s Summary
The series highlights Garfield’s fight against patronage and celebrates his role as a pioneer of civil service reform despite the tragic consequences.
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