Security for the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner was tight as usual with President Donald Trump scheduled to speak, but a suspect managed to breach the outermost layer of security because he was a guest of the hotel, officials said Saturday.
The Perimeter at the Washington Hilton
Interim police chief Jeffery Carroll of Washington D.C.'s Metropolitan Police Department stated that investigators believe the suspect was staying at the hotel, which allowed him to enter during the event. The hotel closed to the public at 2pm Saturday ahead of the 8pm dinner. Outside, dozens of protesters gathered in the rain, mostly criticizing the media. Access was restricted to hotel guests, ticket holders for the dinner, reception invitees, or those with White House Correspondents' Association credentials.
The 2,300 guests in the ballroom had to pass multiple checks, including ticket verification and magnetometers operated by the Secret Service and TSA. It remains unclear when the suspect checked in. Security footage released by Trump shows the gunman running past officers disassembling metal detectors. Once the president was seated, no additional attendees were permitted, prompting the dismantling.
Secret Service director Sean Curran said, "It shows that our multi-layered protection works," a sentiment echoed by Carroll, who noted the security plan developed by the Secret Service functioned as intended.
Security Measures Inside the Ballroom
Inside the ballroom, additional measures were in place. The Secret Service maintained a perimeter around the president with a buffer separating him from other attendees. Armored plates were hidden under Trump's table, and agents, including heavily armed counter-assault teams, were positioned at the stage. Security details for other high-profile attendees were also present. The hotel directed questions to the Secret Service.
Assassination Attempt of Reagan at the Washington Hilton
The hotel has a long presidential history, hosting elite events and celebrities. It was the site of the 1981 shooting of President Ronald Reagan by John Hinckley Jr., who sought to impress actress Jodie Foster. Reagan was wounded as he returned to his limousine after a speaking engagement.
Security Overhauls and US Secret Service Training
Following the Reagan shooting, the hotel implemented extensive security modifications, including a secured garage for the presidential limousine, a dedicated elevator and staircase to a secured suite, and a reserved bathroom with monogrammed towels. The Secret Service uses the annual event to train agents due to the venue's familiarity. Since the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting, many hotels have tightened protocols, including periodic room checks. It is unclear if such measures would have affected this case.
