TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on Sunday condemned political violence after shots were fired outside the White House Correspondents' dinner.
The suspect fired a shotgun at a Secret Service agent stationed at a security checkpoint inside the Washington Hilton before being subdued and taken into custody, per Reuters. US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were swiftly escorted out of the dinner.
In a post on X, Lai said he was shocked and deeply concerned by the shooting. He added, “We are relieved to hear that President Trump and other attendees remain safe from physical harm and we strongly condemn any form of political violence.”
Trump said in a Truth Social post that the Secret Service and other law enforcement officers “acted quickly and bravely,” adding that the suspect had been apprehended. Speaking at a White House news conference, he said the assailant, armed with multiple weapons, charged a security checkpoint and that a Secret Service agent was shot at but “saved” by a bulletproof vest, per The New York Times.
US Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told NBC News’ “Meet the Press” that the suspect appears to have targeted government officials, possibly including the president. Blanche said the man is believed to have traveled by train from Los Angeles to Chicago and then to Washington.
