Washington: World leaders expressed relief that US President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania and other guests were unharmed after a shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ dinner here on Saturday night and asserted that political violence has no place in a democracy.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who has had frequent run-ins with Trump, described the shooting incident at the Washington Hilton hotel as a “disturbing event”.
“I am relieved that the President, the First Lady, and all guests are safe following reports of gunfire at the White House correspondents’ dinner in Washington tonight. Political violence has no place in any democracy, and my thoughts are with all those who have been shaken by this disturbing event,” Carney said in a post on X.
Veteran Democrat leader Nancy Pelosi, a prominent Trump detractor, said it was a great relief that the President, First Lady, and everyone in attendance at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner are safe following a terrifying act of violence inside the venue.
“The brave men and women of the United States Secret Service and local law enforcement are to be commended for their swift action to secure the scene and protect those present. As someone whose family has suffered political violence, my prayers are with the injured officer and all those affected by the trauma of these horrible incidents,” Pelosi said.
Republican leader Steve Scalise thanked the brave members of law enforcement who acted quickly to protect all attending Saturday night’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
“This is an event meant to bring people together. Violence has NO place in our country,” Scalise, the House Majority Leader, said in a post on X.
Congressman Shri Thanedar said he was grateful to the Secret Service and other security personnel who acted swiftly.
“I am keeping all those in attendance in my thoughts: political violence is never acceptable,” Thanedar, the democrat from Michigan, said.
Democratic leader Suhas Subramanyam, who was attending the dinner, said as he was walking down the escalators from the lobby when security personnel asked him to watch out for crossfire.
“I was walking down the escalators from the lobby when, at the bottom of the escalators, 2 security people with guns were running through and yelling ‘watch out for crossfire,'” Subramanyam said in a post on X.
“I got behind a pillar with another person, then left out a back exit while hearing more commotion and police. Thank you to Secret Service, Capitol Police, DC Metropolitan Police and all law enforcement for their quick response,” he said.
Democrat leader Ro Khanna said he was grateful to law enforcement for protecting everyone at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
“My thoughts are with the brave Secret Service agent who was shot. Political violence is completely unacceptable. There is no place for it in our country,” Khanna said.
Democratic leader Senator Chuck Schumer said he was grateful for the quick response of law enforcement and was praying everyone remains safe.
Democrat leader Pramila Jayapal said she was very grateful to law enforcement for quickly acting to secure the room and save lives at the dinner. “Violence is never the answer,” Jayapal said.House Speaker Mike Johnson said he and his wife Kelly were at the event and were thankful that no innocent people were harmed and everyone is now safe.
“We’re grateful as always for the law enforcement and first responders who acted so quickly to bring the situation under control. Praying for our country tonight,” Johnson said.
