Former President Barack Obama condemned political violence after a gunman targeted President Donald Trump and several members of his Cabinet in an alleged assassination attempt at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner Saturday.
"Although we don't yet have the details about the motives behind last night's shooting at the White House Correspondents Dinner, it's incumbent upon all us to reject the idea that violence has any place in our democracy," Obama said in a Sunday statement on X.
"It's also a sobering reminder of the courage and sacrifice that U.S. Secret Service Agents show every day," he added. "I'm grateful to them – and thankful that the agent who was shot is going to be okay."
Authorities identified the suspect as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California. Officials said Allen traveled by train to Washington and arrived at the Washington Hilton armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives.
Allen allegedly planned to target Trump and administration officials during Saturday night's dinner. The president has survived two previous assassination attempts.
"Administration officials (not including Mr. [Kash] Patel): they are targets, prioritized from highest-ranking to lowest," Allen allegedly wrote in a manifesto.
"I experience rage thinking about everything this administration has done," the manifesto continued.
Authorities said Allen attempted to breach a security checkpoint on a floor above the event and fired two shots before U.S. Secret Service agents stopped him.
One Secret Service agent was hit, but his bulletproof vest prevented serious injury. No other injuries were reported.
In an impromptu news conference following the incident, Trump called on Americans to settle their political differences peacefully.
"I ask that all Americans recommit with their hearts in resolving our difference peacefully," Trump said from the White House. "We have to resolve our differences."
"I will say, you had Republicans, Democrats, independents, conservatives, liberals and progressives," he continued. "Those words are interchangeable, perhaps, but maybe they're not. But yet, everybody in that room – big crowd, record-setting crowd, there was a record-setting group of people – there was a tremendous amount of love and coming together."
"I watched and I was very, very impressed by that," the president added.
Nicole Weatherholtz ✉
Nicole Weatherholtz, a Newsmax general assignment reporter covers news, politics, and culture. She is a National Newspaper Association award-winning journalist.
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