Trump targeted in shooting at correspondents’ dinner as suspect opens fire on security agent

A man armed with a shotgun opened fire at a security checkpoint outside the annual White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner in Washington on Sunday, in what officials say appears to have been a targeted attack on members of the United States administration, including Donald Trump, the US President.

The suspect fired at a United States Secret Service agent stationed at the Washington Hilton hotel before being overpowered and arrested. Authorities said the officer was protected by a bulletproof vest and later discharged from hospital.

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Speaking on Meet the Press, Todd Blanche, the acting attorney general Todd Blanche said early evidence suggests the attacker intended to strike senior government figures.
“It does appear that he did, in fact, set out to target folks that work in the administration, likely including the president,” Blanche said, adding that investigators believe the suspect travelled by train from Los Angeles to Chicago and then to Washington.

According to Blanche, the man is expected to face federal charges including assault of a federal officer, discharging a firearm and attempting to kill a federal officer. He added that it remains unclear whether there was any foreign link to the attack.

Inside the venue, Trump and first lady Melania Trump were swiftly escorted out as security forces moved to secure the area.

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Speaking later at the White House, Trump said the wounded agent was “in good shape” and credited protective gear with preventing more serious harm. He also said he believed he was the intended target.

The incident comes amid a period of deep political division in the United States, during which Trump has already survived two previous assassination attempts since 2024.

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The shooting drew swift condemnation from leaders around the world. Mark Rutte,  NATO leader, described it as an attack “on our free and open societies”, while other officials stressed that political violence has no place in a democratic system.

Authorities said investigations are ongoing as they work to determine the suspect’s motives and whether the attack was part of a broader threat.