Steve Moore: I saw a night of festivity transform into disorder at the WHCD

Security Concerns at White House Correspondents’ Dinner

Last Saturday, I found myself at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, which has become a notable event in Washington DC. The atmosphere is quite something—an odd mix of glamour and history. Walking into the Washington Hilton, I couldn’t help but think of the infamous attempt on Ronald Reagan’s life that took place there 45 years ago; it’s a reminder of how close we can be to danger.

As I stood in line, I braced myself for a long wait, expecting about an hour to get through security. I had my ticket and ID ready. What threw me off was just how relaxed the whole security situation was. I donned my tuxedo, showed my ticket, and just walked in—no scanning, no ID checks. It felt odd, almost too easy. I could’ve shared my ticket with friends or even let someone else use it without any real verification. Quite strange considering the venue and the event.

The pre-event gathering, sponsored by outlets like Fox, CNN, and the Wall Street Journal, was lively, filled with women in stunning gowns. After about an hour of mingling, we were ushered into the main ballroom, which seats 2,500 guests. Surprisingly, we went through a simple scanner and again weren’t asked for ID.

When Trump arrived at 7 PM, the applause was rather muted, which makes sense given most attendees were supportive journalists. What really struck me was how he and the First Lady sat down for dinner in front of such a large audience. Logistically, it didn’t seem safe. He was essentially a target in a crowd.

Impressively, several key political figures were present, including the President, the Vice President, and the Speaker of the House. It seemed reckless to have so many high-profile individuals in one space, given the nature of such events.

Shortly after dinner began, things took a terrifying turn. I was chatting with reporters from the Wall Street Journal when the Secret Service rushed in, weapons drawn. Suddenly, we heard loud bangs that sounded alarmingly like explosions, followed by screams. Instinctively, many of us ducked, seeking shelter under the table.

The scene was chaotic—Trump was quickly surrounded by agents, pulled from his seat, and hastily moved towards the exit. I felt a surge of panic as I watched him nearly trip over himself in the process. It was a moment frozen in time—horrifying and confusing.

Secret Service agents frantically looked for the Chairman, who had been pulled under the table by his companions. For several minutes, a strange calm amidst the chaos took over as we tried to make sense of the unfolding drama. Reporters snapped photos and updated their stories, even though the situation was still incredibly unstable.

My heart raced as I feared for Trump’s safety. Moments later, word came that one assailant had been subdued and one agent injured. It wasn’t until about 20 minutes later that we received confirmation of Trump’s safety.

This ordeal brought to light significant security lapses. It was easier to stroll into this dinner and get close to the President than it would have been to attend a basketball game across the street. No one bothered to really check tickets; those with tickets could easily bring others in without scrutiny. It was baffling, especially with rising threats against figures like Trump.