Security Concerns Surface Before the Shooting
Fox News host Jimmy Failla was caught on a hot mic before the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting, and his remarks were blunt. Standing near the red-carpet entrance, he said the security looked weak and joked that it seemed like only a couple of people were holding the door open. The comment was rough around the edges, but the point was plain: an event with the president, vice president, Cabinet officials, and a room full of reporters should not look like a check-in desk at a county bake sale. Multiple reports from attendees now suggest the screening was light, which is a risky way to run a high-profile event.
Failla Describes the Chaos
Failla later told Fox News that he had just left the red carpet when he heard what sounded like chaos and saw men charging the stage. He said his first thought was that President Trump was under attack, and he hit the deck before seeing the president whisked away. Failla also said the room locked down fast and that the scene was intense even before the shooting, because the dinner was supposed to be a social event, not a crisis. Washington loves a polished backdrop, but when security turns out to be paper-thin, the backdrop has a way of peeling off.
Other Attendees Reported Thin Screening
Failla was not the only attendee to raise concerns. Kari Lake said no one visibly inspected her ticket or asked for photo identification. Former FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said he walked through a bare-bones metal detector and saw items placed on a side table without being scanned. Bethany Miller of The Conservateur said some pre-dinner receptions had no screening at all, only an emailed ticket that could be forwarded to someone else. In other words, the system seemed to rely heavily on good behavior, which is a bold plan in a room full of politicians, journalists, and security personnel who all swear the process worked just fine. Authorities say the suspect, 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, California, has been charged with attempting to assassinate the president. Reports say he checked into the Hilton, assembled a long weapon in an unsecured area, and fired, striking one Secret Service agent who was protected by a bulletproof vest. No other injuries were reported.
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