President Trump was evacuated from the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday night following a security breach in which an armed suspect attempted to breach the event's perimeter and was shot by Secret Service agents, federal law enforcement officials confirmed.
The suspect was carrying a shotgun and tried to force his way past security checkpoints in the hotel lobby before being apprehended by law enforcement. One official said a shot was fired at Secret Service personnel, but none were seriously injured. "Shot was fired at secret service, but they are ok. Hit in protective equipment," the official said.
Trump was never in direct danger, according to a source briefed by the FBI on the incident. The gunman was stopped in the lobby before reaching the magnetometers where dinner guests were being screened.
Vice President Vance and first lady Melania Trump were evacuated alongside the president. Several Cabinet secretaries were also present in the ballroom when the incident unfolded. Armed Secret Service agents immediately fanned out across the room and took positions on the dais with weapons drawn, though pointed downward.
Attendees scrambled for cover when security personnel rushed the venue. "We heard loud noise, saw Secret Service rush in, obviously pure chaos in the room very quickly," said Rep. Mike Lawler, a New York Republican who was present. "They moved to get the president and members of the Cabinet, understandably."
In a post on Truth Social, Trump praised the response by law enforcement. "They acted quickly and bravely," he wrote, noting that the shooter had been apprehended. The president said he would defer to law enforcement on whether he would address the gathering later, but suggested the event would need to be rescheduled.
After roughly 30 minutes of confusion, White House Correspondents' Association chair Weijia Jiang returned to the stage to inform guests that the program would resume with further updates to follow.
Author James Rodriguez: "The quick containment in the lobby shows the security perimeter worked as designed, but the evacuation of Trump, Vance, and Melania sent a sharp reminder of the threats that surround high-profile political events."
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