Federal law enforcement is reviewing security procedures after a man armed with guns and knives tried to enter the ballroom where President Donald Trump was scheduled to speak at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner. White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles will meet this week with the Secret Service, DHS and the White House operations team to evaluate measures used and "explore additional options." The Secret Service has already elevated and reevaluated its posture amid a high volume of threats, including two assassination attempts earlier in 2024.
Security Review Launched After Attack Near White House Correspondents’ Dinner
New review of Trump security underway after WHCD
Federal law enforcement officials are conducting a thorough review of security protocols for high-profile events featuring President Donald Trump after Saturday’s attack near the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner.
The incident — in which a man armed with guns and knives attempted to force his way into the Washington hotel ballroom where the president was scheduled to speak — is the third time in under two years a gunman has come dangerously close to Mr. Trump. Officials said the event has sharpened concerns about how to balance the public-facing duties of the presidency with steps to reduce the risk of violence.
At a White House appearance on Thursday, NewsNation’s Libbey Dean asked whether the president had considered wearing a bulletproof vest for public events. "I don’t know if I can handle looking 20 pounds heavier," Mr. Trump responded.
Planned Review and Ongoing Changes
White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles is scheduled to meet this week with the White House operations team, the U.S. Secret Service and the Department of Homeland Security to assess which measures were effective on Saturday and to "explore additional options" for future appearances, a senior White House official said.
Separately, a person familiar with the matter said the Secret Service has already been reevaluating its posture for upcoming events. Officials described the agency’s posture as elevated amid an extraordinary number of threats directed at the president, including two back-to-back assassination attempts earlier in 2024.
Events Under Review
Officials are weighing security plans for a busy stretch of large indoor and outdoor events that will involve the president in the coming months. Those include ceremonies for the nation’s 250th anniversary, U.S. roles in co-hosting the World Cup and campaign rallies intended to mobilize Republican voters ahead of November’s midterm elections.
The senior official emphasized that the review will focus both on measures that worked Saturday and on possible new steps to better protect the president while preserving public access to official events.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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