Monday briefing: Everything we know about the White House correspondents’ dinner shooting | White House correspondents’ dinner shooting
Good morning. On Saturday night, the annual Washington ritual of White House correspondents descended into chaos as the US president and first lady were evacuated after the event was disrupted by gunfire.
Journalists hid under desks as officials escorted Donald Trump and his cabinet members out of the room. While the president and his wife were uninjured, the suspect, 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen from southern California, was detained. In today’s newsletter, I will give you the latest updates on what we know about the incident. First, the headlines.
five big stories
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UK politics | Labor figures from rival groups have begun circulating informal proposals for an “orderly transfer” of power from Keir Starmer, shifting their debate from whether the prime minister could be sacked to how this could be done, the Guardian understands.
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european news | While private jets filled with the spoils of those whose fortunes increased during the years that Viktor Orbán was in power take off from Vienna, other individuals are racing to invest their assets abroad.
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Trade | In response to Donald Trump’s latest tariff threats, UK business leaders have called on the government to build an EU-style “trade bazooka” to protect Britain’s economic interests.
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Middle East | Hopes of progress in negotiations between Iran and the United States faded further on Sunday as the feeling of stalemate in the nearly two-month conflict deepened.
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Science | Simultaneous exposure to toxic chemicals and the effects of climate change are likely contributing to the global decline in fertility.
In depth: ‘like a scene from a dozen Hollywood movies’
David Smith, the Guardian’s Washington bureau chief, was at the Washington Hilton on Saturday as events unfolded and described the chaotic scenes. He saw men in tuxedos and women in dresses ducking under round tables, “like a scene from a dozen Hollywood movies, but now it’s happening to me, right here, right now.”
David told Nour Haydar about the experience for our Full Story podcast, which you can listen to here.
What is the White House Correspondents Association dinner?
The annual event is a tradition that dates back to the 1920s and is a fixture on the U.S. political calendar. Most presidents have attended at least one meeting and often make self-deprecating remarks to entertain journalists who spend much of the year diligently reporting on the administration.
There’s also usually a “comedy roast” of a guest speaker, but perhaps given how sensitive Trump can be to criticism, this year’s main event was due to magician Oz Pearlman.
Perhaps the most infamous incident before this weekend’s shooting happened in 2011. Barack Obama mocked Donald Trump to his face because of the latter’s obsession with Obama’s birthplace. Many observers attributed Trump’s decision to run for president in 2016 to the events of that evening.
What do we know about what happened?
Shortly after 8:30 p.m. Saturday, gunshots rang out at the Washington Hilton, sparking panic among about 2,000 guests in the ballroom. Secret Service agents rushed around shouting instructions as reporters and officials scrambled under tables, and Trump and other high-profile figures were quickly evacuated.
The shots came from an attacker who attempted to breach a security checkpoint near the event while carrying multiple weapons, including a shotgun, pistol and knives. He was stopped by law enforcement before reaching the ballroom but managed to fire, hitting a Secret Service officer whose ballistic vest prevented serious injury. The suspect was neutralized at the scene and taken into custody.
The dinner has been canceled but is expected to be rescheduled; The incident raised new questions about security and the broader climate of political violence in the United States.
What do we know about the suspect in custody and the reason?
The suspected attacker was identified as Cole Tomas Allen. He is from Torrance, a suburb of Los Angeles. According to a records search, he has no criminal or civil court history in Los Angeles County.
Jeffery Carroll, interim police chief for Washington’s metropolitan police department, told reporters: “We believe he was a guest at the hotel. We have arranged for a room here at the hotel, and we will again go through the appropriate procedures to determine what happened there as well.”
Acting U.S. attorney Todd Blanche said in a television interview: “Based on the initial beginnings of understanding what happened, we believe he was targeting members of the administration.”
Investigators are evaluating a manifesto reportedly written by the suspect that included a list of shooting targets ranked from highest to lowest, with Trump administration officials at the top. An official familiar with the matter told the Guardian that the manifesto published by the New York Post was genuine.
The suspected gunman sent letters to family members listing his complaints against the administration about 10 minutes before the shooting, White House officials told The Associated Press.
How did Donald Trump react and what happens next?
The US president used the event as an opportunity to press for his planned ballroom at the White House. “What happened last night is why our great Military, our Secret Service, our Law Enforcement, and for different reasons every President for the last 150 years have DEMANDED a large, safe and secure Ballroom be built ON THE GROUND OF THE WHITE HOUSE,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The US president later spoke about the events with CBS correspondent Norah O’Donnell in an interview that aired on 60 Minutes on Sunday night.
“I wasn’t worried,” he said. Trump told O’Donnell that her curiosity probably slowed down the Secret Service’s efforts to get her to safety. “I wanted to see what was going on,” Trump said. “I wasn’t making it that easy for them. I wanted to see what was going on. I was surrounded by great people. And I probably made them move a little slower.”
Trump called for the event to be rescheduled within 30 days, saying, “I don’t want to see it canceled. I think it’s really bad that a crazy person can cancel something like that.” Then, in his typical over-the-top style, he added a warning: “It’s not that I want to go. I’m too busy. I don’t need it.”
What else did we read?
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I’m a sucker for a photo gallery and this one is All About Photography awards Winners is a magical, visual feast. Katy Vans, newsletter team
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I’m almost as graceful as a giraffe on roller skates, but like any Londoner, I spent my time admiring the skills of skating. South Bank’s skate parkHe turned 50. Marianne Eloise celebrates. Martin
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Big idea makes for another great read strong bordersHe emphasizes that history shows that these are futile control exercises that lead to huge financial costs and preventable human tragedies. katy
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It can be a strange experience to grieve when the death of a loved one attracts the attention of the whole world. Pamela Gordon speaks to Christine Dawood, who lost her husband and son in the crash titan submarine. Martin
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This interview with the great actor and director Adjoa Andohshines a light on a talent some people might only recognize from Bridgerton. katy
Sport
Football | Chelsea reached the FA Cup final for the 17th overall and 13th time in the last 30 years after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Leeds at Wembley.
Athletics | 30-year-old Kenyan runner Sabastian Sawe made history by finishing the London Marathon in 1 hour 59 minutes 30 seconds, becoming the first athlete to run a marathon in under two hours. Meanwhile, Ethiopian Tigst Assefa defended her title by finishing the women’s race with a time of 2:15:41.
Football | Coventry celebrated their Championship title with a 3-1 win against Wrexham, which undermined the Welsh team’s play-off ambitions.
front pages
Guard It begins with “Washington in shock after Trump press gala attack.” Finance Times “Questions about security breaches mount following confrontation with Trump’s alleged attacker.” Sun The headline was “Mayhem in the ballroom”.
I “After the gunman did not shoot Trump, King flew to the United States with extra security,” it reports. Times “Trump hails ‘brave’ King for US visit after shooting,” he says. Mail Continuing with “The king remains calm and carries on.” Mirror describes it as “the King’s visit to the US security crisis”. Telegram starring with a special “war heroes insulted by Hermer”.
In Focus Today
Sanae Takaichi’s effort to change Japan’s pacifist constitution
Justin Mc Curry It’s about the political rise of the Japanese prime minister and his plan to change the rules restricting the country’s military.
Cartoon of the day | Tom Gauld
positive side
A bit of good news to remind you that the world isn’t that bad
Jillian Gibbs was heavily pregnant, recovering from months of hyperemesis gravidarum. She was tired, vulnerable, and unsure if she was ready for motherhood. While out shopping one day, a stranger kindly pointed out that her shoelace was untied (something she couldn’t see because she was pregnant) and kindly offered to tie it for him.
This small act reminded him that the world contained caring people who looked out for others without judgment or expectations; The stranger’s quiet and practical politeness stood out. It confirmed the value of accepting help and emphasized how meaningful simple gestures can be.
You never know when your small act of kindness can make a big difference to someone else.
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