United States President Donald Trump has stated that he cannot imagine any profession more dangerous than that of the US presidency.
Speaking to journalists during a briefing at the White House briefing room on Saturday night (local time), Trump made the remarks following a security incident at the Washington Hilton Hotel, where the White House Correspondents’ dinner was being held.
The event, attended by President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, was disrupted when gunfire was heard during the dinner proceedings. Following the incident, members of the US Secret Service immediately evacuated the President and the First Lady to a secure location.
Later, addressing reporters at the White House briefing room, Trump described the dinner as an event dedicated to freedom of speech, intended to promote unity.
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Incident at Washington Hilton
According to Trump, the suspected attacker was believed to be carrying multiple firearms and attempted an assault at a security checkpoint. He referred to the individual as a “potential assassin” who was subsequently detained by Secret Service personnel, whom he described as “very brave”.
Trump also stated that the suspect is currently in custody.
He further commented on the security of the venue, noting that the Washington Hilton Hotel is not a particularly secure building. In his words: “We have reviewed all of the circumstances that took place tonight, and I would say it is not a very secure building.”
The Washington Hilton, opened in 1965, has historically hosted numerous major political and public events.
Details of the Incident
During his briefing, Trump provided further account of the sequence of events, stating that a single individual was believed to be involved. He said the suspect carried multiple weapons and attacked a security post before being subdued by Secret Service personnel.
He also confirmed that one security officer was shot at close range during the incident but survived due to wearing a bulletproof vest.
Trump added that in recent years, this was not the first instance of a Republican figure being targeted by what he described as a “potential assassin”. He referred to two previous incidents, one in Pennsylvania and another in Florida, in which he said attempts were made on his life prior to his re-election campaign.
Summary of Key Details
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Washington Hilton Hotel |
| Event | White House Correspondents’ Dinner |
| Incident | Gunfire reported during event |
| Attendees | President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump |
| Security Response | Secret Service evacuation and suspect apprehension |
| Suspect Status | Detained in custody |
| Weapons | Multiple firearms (as stated by Trump) |
| Injuries | One security officer shot, survived |
| Venue Notes | Opened in 1965, hosts major political events |
| Additional Remarks | Trump cited prior alleged assassination attempts in Pennsylvania and Florida |
White House Briefing
Following the incident, President Trump held a briefing at the White House briefing room, where he reiterated that the presidency represents an exceptionally dangerous profession. He also confirmed that the First Lady was present during the briefing, noting that such appearances are rare and that the incident had a significant impact on her.
Trump concluded by stating that the suspect is being held in custody and described the individual as someone with a “very disturbed mind”.