Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump said Saturday an alleged shooter from California had been apprehended as he was rushed out of the annual White House correspondents' dinner at a hotel in Washington after the sound of gunfire was heard. Trump was sitting on the stage in front of a hotel ballroom during the event hosted by the White House Correspondents' Association. Following gunshots, Trump was forced to duck and escorted out of the place by the Secret Service personnel.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Trump said in a social media post that he, first lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and all other cabinet members were "in perfect condition." During a press conference later, Trump described the suspect as a "very sick person" and might be a "lone wolf," while calling on Americans to resolve differences "peacefully."
Before being taken down by Secret Service personnel, the attacker, who was armed with multiple weapons, charged a security checkpoint inside the hotel, Trump said. A Secret Service officer was shot but was saved by a bulletproof vest, he added. Asked about the possibility of the shooting being politically motivated, Trump stated his concern but emphasized the need to continue functioning in his role.
Responding to a question of whether the incident could be linked to the war in Iran, Trump said, "I don't think so," but acknowledged the ongoing investigation with confidence in the expertise of those involved. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed that charges related to the shooting will be filed shortly, indicating multiple charges surrounding the incident.
Trump also highlighted the incident as an example of the need for the White House to have a dedicated ballroom, reiterating his push to construct a new ballroom on the White House's demolished East Wing site despite legal challenges. He announced plans to reschedule the correspondents' dinner within 30 days, promising an event that is "bigger, better and even nicer," as well as "safer."
Saturday's shooting marks the third major security incident involving Trump, following an assassination attempt during a Pennsylvania rally in July 2024 and the arrest of an armed man hiding near a Trump golf club in Florida in September 2024. The incident occurred despite heightened security measures around the hotel amid the ongoing war with Iran, a nation criticized by the Trump administration as a state sponsor of terrorism. The event was attended by several high-profile government officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, and Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Kash Patel.