A shooting erupted at the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington, D.C., on Saturday evening, with authorities alleging that the suspect intended to attack members of the Trump administration, possibly including the president himself. The incident occurred at the Washington Hilton hotel, where President Donald Trump and approximately 2,300 guests were present.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that the 31-year-old suspect from California allegedly traveled by train from California to Chicago and then to Washington, checking into the hotel hosting the event. The suspect was reportedly carrying a shotgun, a handgun, and several knives. Blanche told NBC that the suspect "did in fact set out to target folks who work in the administration, likely including the president."
The suspect allegedly attempted to force his way into the ballroom but was tackled by law enforcement, triggering a chaotic scene. Shots were fired, and President Trump was rushed off the stage while guests took cover. One Secret Service agent was hospitalized. The suspect was taken into custody and initially evaluated at a hospital; he is reportedly not cooperating with the investigation.
Deputy Secret Service Director Matthew Quinn stated that "a coward attempted to create a national tragedy" but was stopped due to the agency's layered security posture. He emphasized that the protective measures worked as intended.
According to a LinkedIn profile matching the suspect's name, he held a master's degree in computer science, worked as a tutor, and developed a video game about molecular chemistry. Federal campaign finance records show he donated $25 to Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris in 2024.
President Trump held a press conference after the incident, describing it as "rather traumatic" and thanking law enforcement for their quick response. He stated that he wanted to continue the dinner but was told to leave by the Secret Service. Trump announced that the correspondents' dinner would be rescheduled within 30 days.
World leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, condemned the political violence and expressed relief that Trump was unharmed. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was "shocked" by the scenes, especially ahead of King Charles III's state visit to the U.S.
The suspect is expected to be formally charged in federal court on Monday. He faces two counts: using a firearm during a crime of violence and assaulting federal officers with a dangerous weapon. The motive remains under investigation.
Source: www.dw.com