The man who shot then-President Ronald Reagan outside the Washington Hilton in 1981 said the hotel is "not a secure place to hold big events," renewing scrutiny over the venue following the latest attempted attack targeting President Donald Trump.
John Hinckley Jr., who carried out his assassination attempt on Reagan at the same hotel, told TMZ that the Washington Hilton should stop hosting large gatherings altogether, warning that "bad things keep happening" there.
His remarks come just days after a gunman allegedly stormed a security checkpoint during the White House Correspondents' Association dinner, where Trump, his Cabinet, members of Congress, and media figures were gathered.
Authorities say the suspect fired shots in the lobby area before being apprehended, prompting a swift Secret Service response.
Hinckley told TMZ he found it "spooky" that the latest incident occurred at the same location as his own attack more than four decades ago, highlighting what he described as long-standing security weaknesses at the venue.
Back in 1981, Hinckley was able to blend into a crowd of reporters outside the hotel before opening fire on Reagan and three others, including press secretary James Brady.
He claims security was "lax" then and suggests similar vulnerabilities may still exist today.
Accounts from journalists attending Saturday's dinner appear to support those concerns.
Some reported minimal screening procedures, raising questions about whether proper safeguards were in place despite the high-profile nature of the event.
The latest suspect, identified as 31-year-old Cole Allen, has been charged with attempting to assassinate Trump, along with multiple firearms-related offenses.
No fatalities were reported in the incident, though a Secret Service agent was struck but protected by a bulletproof vest.
The attack marks yet another security scare involving Trump, who has survived multiple assassination attempts in recent years, including a 2024 rally shooting in Pennsylvania where he was wounded.
In the wake of Saturday's incident, Trump and his allies have renewed calls for construction of a secure White House ballroom, arguing that relying on outside venues such as the Washington Hilton exposes the president and others to unnecessary risk.
Supporters of the proposal say a dedicated, fortified facility within the White House complex would provide the level of security required for modern threats, eliminating the vulnerabilities associated with hotels and other public spaces.
Hinckley's comments, while controversial given his history, have added fuel to the debate while underscoring a stark reality: The same venue that witnessed one of the most infamous assassination attempts in American history is once again at the center of national security concerns.
As investigations continue, the incident is likely to intensify calls for stronger protections and a reassessment of how and where major presidential events are held.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Charlie McCarthy ✉
Charlie McCarthy, a writer/editor at Newsmax, has nearly 40 years of experience covering news, sports, and politics.
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