Trump Praises Secret Service After White House Correspondents’ Dinner Shooting, Questions Remain Over Response

President Donald Trump was evacuated from the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner after a gunman opened fire at a security checkpoint outside the Washington Hilton on Saturday night, April 25, 2026.

Law enforcement sources identified the suspect as Cole Allen, a 31-year-old tutor from Torrance, California, who was armed with a shotgun and other weapons. Allen had booked a room at the hotel in early April, according to officials briefed on the investigation.

The suspect charged a security checkpoint and exchanged gunfire with law enforcement, prompting chaos inside the ballroom where Trump and other dignitaries were attending the annual event. U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro described the individual as intent on causing as much harm and damage as possible.

Trump was rushed from the stage by Secret Service agents and later praised their response, stating that a agent was shot at but “saved” by his bulletproof vest. He commended the agency for acting quickly and said the annual dinner would be rescheduled within the next 30 days.

Video footage shared by Trump showed Secret Service agents responding swiftly to the situation, with agents standing guard at the venue before moving to confront the threat. The president also posted images of a person in custody lying on the ground following the incident.

First Lady Melania Trump and other attendees were also removed from the venue by security personnel. Authorities confirmed the suspect was taken into custody, correcting earlier reports that he had been killed during the exchange.

The White House Correspondents’ Association confirmed the event was interrupted and stated it would work with officials to determine a new date for the gathering, which has been held annually for over a century.