President says he remained calm during White House Correspondents’ Dinner gunfire as investigators probe suspect’s motive and security breach…reports Asian Lite News Desk
US President Donald Trump said he “wasn’t worried” as gunfire erupted during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, even as federal investigators continued probing the motive of a 31-year-old suspect who allegedly targeted members of his administration.
The incident unfolded late Saturday at a Washington hotel, where more than 2,500 guests, including the president, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President and senior officials, had gathered. The gunman reportedly breached the security perimeter and fired shots before being quickly subdued by security personnel.
“I wasn’t worried. I understand life. We live in a crazy world,” Trump said in an interview with 60 Minutes, describing his reaction as agents moved to evacuate him from the venue.
Authorities said the suspect had emailed a “manifesto” to family members shortly before the attack, stating his intention to target administration officials. Trump described the individual as “radicalised” and “probably a pretty sick guy,” adding that concerns about his behaviour had been raised earlier by family members.
Witnesses described chaotic scenes inside the ballroom, with attendees diving to the floor as what sounded like gunshots rang out. Trump said he initially tried to assess the situation before following instructions from the Secret Service.
“I wanted to see what was going on,” he said. “They said, ‘Please go down. Please go down on the floor.’ So I dropped to the floor. So did the first lady.”
He acknowledged that Melania Trump appeared shaken in the aftermath. “She looked very upset about what just took place… who wouldn’t be when you have a situation like that?” he said, adding that she “handled it great” and “knew what was happening.”
Trump praised the swift response of law enforcement agencies, highlighting the speed with which the suspect was neutralised. “They were so professional… and then they took him down immediately,” he said.
The president also commented on the breach, noting that attackers can sometimes exploit vulnerabilities. “Some of these people, they may be crazy, but they’re not stupid and they figure things out,” he said, while adding that the suspect ultimately failed in his attempt.
Despite the disruption, Trump said he wanted the event to continue. “I tried to get them to continue the event, if possible,” he said, expressing hope that it would be rescheduled soon. “I don’t want to have a crazy person… be able to cancel something like this.”
The president returned to the White House within hours and described a sense of unity among those present. “I saw a room that was just totally unified. It was, in one way, very beautiful,” he said.
No fatalities were reported, and officials confirmed that a Secret Service agent wearing protective gear was unharmed. Investigators are continuing to examine the suspect’s writings and online activity to determine the motive behind the attack.
