House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Monday described security at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner as “lax,” reflecting on the chaotic events during a Fox News interview. Speaking on “America’s Newsroom,” Johnson noted that while he entered through a secure back entrance with other officials, the front-of-house screening appeared insufficient. “From a layman’s perspective, it did look a little lax in terms of getting into the building,” Johnson said, adding that magnetometers and other measures may not have been adequate.
The incident unfolded Saturday evening at the Washington Hilton, where a gunman exchanged fire with law enforcement, prompting the evacuation of President Trump and first lady Melania Trump. The suspect, armed with a shotgun, handgun, and multiple knives, shot a Secret Service agent who was struck on his bulletproof vest and is expected to recover, according to administration officials. The attacker had bypassed an initial security checkpoint but was stopped before reaching the ballroom, where hundreds of journalists and officials were gathered. He had reportedly booked a room in the hotel prior to the event.
Johnson’s remarks come as Republicans seize on the security breach to push for a comprehensive funding package for the Department of Homeland Security and to revive Trump’s proposal for a White House ballroom, which the president argues would be a safer venue for major Washington events. Johnson has urged GOP colleagues to eliminate the filibuster to pass the DHS funding, linking the security lapse to broader concerns about political violence.
In a post on X on Sunday, Johnson praised Trump’s demeanor during the crisis, writing that “many in the media are discussing how President Trump was ‘so remarkably calm’ and ‘in control’ through the events last night. That is the mark [of] a great leader, and it defines who Donald Trump is.” He added that Trump “is at his strongest in times of crisis and turmoil,” calling the event a “third assassination attempt” on the president.
The shooting has sparked a flurry of political responses. Senator Chuck Grassley has scheduled a Secret Service briefing to examine security lapses, while FBI Chief Patel has vowed an overhaul of WHCA dinner security. The suspect is set to appear in court Monday, and a manifesto reportedly indicates he targeted Trump and other officials.
Democrats, meanwhile, have called for a bipartisan panel on political violence, with Representative Ro Khanna urging Congress to address the root causes. The incident has reignited debates over venue security, with some GOP lawmakers, including Representative Hamadeh, pressing for tighter protocols at future events.
Johnson’s comments underscore the heightened political stakes surrounding the shooting, as both parties maneuver to shape the narrative ahead of the next election cycle.
