White House Correspondents' Dinner Shaken by Shooting Scare, Congress Criticizes Security Failures

Following a shooting incident at the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington, D.C., on Saturday night, Congress quickly became the focal point of public scrutiny and policy debate. Multiple bipartisan lawmakers directly pointed to serious security lapses, demanding a thorough investigation into accountability and stronger protective measures; meanwhile, the White House Correspondents' Association issued a statement later, reaffirming that the core value of press freedom remains unchanged, and announced it will assess future event arrangements. President Trump stated he plans to host a new dinner within 30 days.

The incident occurred outside the Washington Hilton Hotel this past Saturday, when a suspect carrying multiple weapons attempted to breach police barriers and opened fire on Secret Service agents before being swiftly subdued and arrested. Although no injuries were reported among attendees—including the President, Vice President, and First Lady—the sudden gunfire caused immediate chaos, prompting several high-ranking officials to evacuate urgently.

Congress responded swiftly. The House Oversight Committee has already requested a briefing from the Secret Service to clarify the sequence of events and identify security shortcomings. Republican Representative Michael McCaul told CNN that the incident underscores the critical importance and urgency of homeland security funding. "This highlights the urgency," he said, emphasizing that Congress must act promptly to advance relevant appropriations.

Republican Representative Mike Lawler described the situation as a "security failure." He noted that there was no identity verification or guest list verification at entry, "no real check of tickets," and no metal detectors installed either at the building entrance or on the first two floors. Moreover, hotel guests could freely access most areas, significantly increasing potential threats.

"There are many issues to address—how the shooter managed to carry multiple weapons close to the banquet hall," he stressed. "It's deeply unsettling to see such vulnerabilities emerge at large-scale events, especially given that the President recently survived two failed assassination attempts."

Democratic lawmakers also expressed shock. California Representative Nanette Barragan said she was seated near the stage and witnessed the rapid evacuation of the President and senior officials. "It’s absolutely crazy… This happened at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, where security should be at its highest level," she remarked.

Florida Democratic Representative Jared Moskowitz recounted how Majority Whip Steve Scalise immediately guided him to a safe area upon hearing the shots. "I saw the Secret Service taking Steve away, so I stood up and said, 'Steve, can I come with you?' And he told his team, '[He’s] a member of Congress—take him along,'" Moskowitz recalled.

Later, Moskowitz shared photos on social media and thanked Scalise for his assistance. He mentioned both men had previously survived political violence: Scalise was injured during the 2017 congressional baseball shooting, while Moskowitz himself faced a potential threat in 2024. "I’m very grateful to Steve for letting me join him and bringing me into the secure room," he said.

Other attendees also described the scene of confusion to Axios. Republican Representative Brian Jack said, "Seeing someone attempt to attack or disrupt this event—it’s a terrifying moment for our nation." Former New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu bluntly called it "shocking." Several members of Congress have since called for a comprehensive review of security protocols to ensure such incidents do not recur in future events.

As Congress intensifies its focus on security and institutional failures, President Trump praised law enforcement performance while shifting attention to the ongoing budget impasse at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). He said, "The Secret Service and all law enforcement personnel—I believe they performed excellently. You can always find fault, but they were truly outstanding—they quickly stopped the threat." At the same time, he highlighted that DHS, which houses the Secret Service, is partially shut down due to a budget stalemate, adding, "They aren’t even getting paid right now," and criticized Democrats for delaying appropriations, saying, "Maybe now they’ll ease up a bit."

Currently, Democrats and Republicans remain deadlocked over DHS funding and immigration enforcement reforms, and this incident may further intensify partisan conflict.

In contrast to Congress’s strong focus on security and accountability, the White House Correspondents’ Association emphasized institutional and value-based responses. Weijia Jiang, senior White House correspondent for CBS and current chair of the association, said the board will convene to assess the shooting and determine next steps.

Jiang stressed that the essence of the dinner remains unchanged. "Our dinner celebrates the First Amendment and the daily dedication journalists make to uphold it. Last night, these reporters demonstrated the calm and courage required in their work, immediately jumping into reporting after the incident. We’re proud of everyone present," she said.

She described the shooting as a "horrifying moment" and extended gratitude to the Secret Service and law enforcement officers, noting they "protected thousands of guests." She added, "We’re incredibly thankful that everyone attending made it through safely—including the President, the First Lady, and the Vice President."

Source: rfi

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1863580600263755/

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