White House to review Trump’s security after gunfire near press dinner
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US President Donald Trump being escorted out after a man opened fire with a shotgun on security personnel outside the room, during the White House Correspondents' Association dinner.
PHOTO: REUTERS
WASHINGTON - White House chief of staff Susie Wiles will meet with law enforcement and homeland security early this week to review security protocols after the April 25 shooting in a Washington hotel where President Donald Trump and top officials were attending a dinner, the administration said on April 27.
The third major security incident targeting Mr Trump in less than two years comes as he prepares for a summer packed with high‑profile public events, testing the Secret Service at a moment of high political and global tensions.
Chief of Staff Susie Wiles will meet with leaders of the US Secret Service and the Department of Homeland Security to discuss security operations for major events involving Mr Trump, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on April 27, adding that security changes are under consideration.
“We’re always looking for ways to improve security,” Ms Leavitt said. “I think if you just sit here and say everything is perfect all the time, that’s not a good way to operate.”
Ms Leavitt also said officials will discuss whether the president and vice- president should attend the same events, adding that conversations about the line of presidential succession took place before the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner on April 25.
While the event drew Vice-President J.D. Vance, Cabinet members and top congressional leaders such as US House Speaker Mike Johnson, Ms Leavitt said officials determined that a “designated survivor” was not necessary because several Cabinet officials did not attend.
Ms Leavitt said Mr Trump is standing by the Secret Service leadership following the shooting outside the Washington Hilton ballroom where the dinner was being held.
Acting Attorney-General Todd Blanche said in interviews that Mr Trump and other administration officials were the likely intended targets of the suspect, a California man who was charged in court on April 27.
The 31-year-old is suspected of firing a shotgun at a Secret Service agent at a checkpoint one floor up from the ballroom entrance before being tackled and arrested.
Mr Trump and first lady Melania Trump were rushed out of the dinner.
In July 2024, a sniper's bullet skimmed Mr Trump's ear during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
Two months later, Secret Service agents spotted an armed man hiding in bushes a few hundred yards from where Mr Trump was golfing in Florida.
Since then, security around Mr Trump has tightened, and bulletproof glass is used when he speaks at outdoor events.
Ms Wiles' meeting will examine the security response on April 25 and measures to keep future events safe, senior White House official told Reuters on April 27.
Mr Trump is expected to attend events this summer for the nation’s 250th anniversary and the soccer World Cup.
Mr Trump told reporters that the first lady had found April 25’s incident traumatic.
Nevertheless, the couple was continuing with plans to welcome Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla on April 27 for several days of events.
After the shooting, Mr Trump praised the security response, argued that security concerns were more justification to continue building his East Wing ballroom, and mused to reporters about the risks of being president.
Asked if he was satisfied with his protection, he said: "I'd be up here right now saying they didn't do their job," adding: "Believe me, because, you know, it's my life." REUTERS
