Rep. Jamie Raskin deflects Dana Bash’s question on Democratic rhetoric
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Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., was pressed Sunday on whether Democrats should tone down their rhetoric toward President Donald Trump after a shooting triggered chaos at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner Saturday evening.
Asked by Dana Bash on CNN’s “State of the Union” whether he and other Democrats should rethink their heated, incendiary language toward Trump, Raskin said, “What kind of rhetoric do you have in mind?” he replied. He added that he was criticizing the administration’s policies rather than making personal attacks.
“I’m talking about the policies of this administration, the authoritarianism,” Raskin said. “I don’t make it personal.”
Attendees embrace as they leave the White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC, after loud explosions were heard. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)
Raskin, who is often a vocal critic of the Trump administration, has previously called for cognitive testing of the president and said Trump did so. took a “chainsaw” To the Constitution.
During the interview, Raskin also defended the role of the press and criticized what he described as past attacks on media institutions.
“I think the press is the people’s best friend, and that’s why it’s written in the First Amendment,” Raskin said. “We need the press to be a vigilant watchdog at all levels of government.”
Security quickly escorts Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, DC on April 25, 2026. (Tom Brenner/AP)
TRUMP PRAISES THE PRESS AFTER THE SHOOTING, SAYS THE TOGETHER AT DINNER WAS ‘NICE’
Raskin was also asked if he trusted FBI Director Kash Patel and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to oversee the investigation into the dinner incident.
“I hope this investigation is conducted with full openness and transparency,” Raskin said.
Law enforcement officers detained a suspect lying face down on the ground following a security incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. (@realDonaldTrump via Truth Social)
DANA WHITE SAYS WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS REFUSED TO GET OFF DURING DINNER FILMING
The interview began with a discussion of Saturday night’s incident after Kerry Kennedy posted on social media that loud noises knocked guests to the floor before Secret Service agents rushed into the room. Raskin said he had just arrived and was talking to Kennedy when the chaos broke out.
“I had just walked into the room a few minutes ago,” Raskin said. “All of a sudden loud explosions, crashing sounds, plates, silverware, everything flying everywhere.”
Raskin said he immediately thought about Kennedy’s family history after the assassinations of his father, Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, and his uncle, President John F. Kennedy.
“I immediately thought of Kerry, who lost his father and uncle in the shooting,” Raskin said.
US Ambassador to the United Nations Michael Waltz and his wife, former US Homeland Security advisor Julia Nesheiwat, are escorted out of the Washington Hilton after the postponement of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on April 25, 2026 in Washington DC. (Al Drago/Getty Images)
US JUDGE ORDERED THE ARREST OF THE SUSPECT WHO THREATENED TO KILL RICHARD GRENELL
The alleged attacker refused to help investigators, Blanche said Sunday. He also said authorities believe the suspect traveled from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., by train, and additional charges and details are expected following official filings.
“Based on what we learned in our preliminary investigation, he is not actively cooperating,” Blanche said.
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Federal officials had not yet released a full motive as of Sunday morning.
