The Washington Hilton, the hotel targeted by an attack during a gala dinner with President Donald Trump, has a long presidential history. Known for hosting the White House Correspondents’ Association gala dinner, the establishment began to invest in even more stringent security because of its history: 45 years ago, it was the site of an assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan. At the time, authorities argued that its “multilayer protection” worked as planned.
Reagan was shot by John Hinckley on March 30, 1981 as he was returning to his limousine after a speech. He was seriously wounded. Hinckley believed the attack would impress actress Jodie Foster.
Following the incident, the hotel carried out extensive security modifications specifically to accommodate the president, including a secure garage designed for the presidential limousine, with access to an elevator and exclusive stairs to take them to a personal-use suite. The suite includes a private bathroom that the hotel traditionally decorates with monograms.
Ordinary people often reserve rooms or fill the hotel lobby bar to watch events that attract Washington’s elite and have also featured celebrities such as George Clooney and Kim Kardashian, as well as hosts such as Jimmy Kimmel and Trevor Noah.
On the night of this Saturday, the 25th, the gala celebrating press freedom was interrupted by gunfire that caused guests to drop to the floor and President Donald Trump to be evacuated by security personnel.
It is believed the suspect managed to breach the event’s outer security layer by being a hotel guest. He was identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California. Authorities said Allen was armed with a shotgun, a pistol, and several knives.
The Security Framework in the Trump Era
The hotel was closed to the public starting at 2 p.m. Saturday, in anticipation of the dinner, which began at 8 p.m. Outside, dozens of protesters gathered in the rain – most directing their criticism at the press present at the event.
Access to the hotel was restricted to guests, people with dinner tickets, invitations to one of the receptions held at the hotel before or after dinner, or documents from the White House Correspondents’ Association indicating affiliation with the dinner.
The 2,300 guests of the event in the hotel’s vast basement-level ballroom had to pass through several additional checks to enter, including presenting tickets to association volunteers and hotel staff, in addition to passing through metal detectors operated by the Secret Service and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
The check-in time of the suspect was not immediately disclosed. Security camera footage released by Trump on social media shortly after the incident shows the shooter running alongside security agents who appear to be dismantling the metal detectors. Once the president was seated in the hall, other guests were barred from entering the restricted area, which is why the detectors were being removed.
“This shows that our multi-layer protection system is functioning,” said the director of the Secret Service, Sean Curran. His comments were corroborated by Carroll, who said that the security plan for the night was developed by the Secret Service and that “this security plan worked tonight.”
Additional Measures During the Dinner
Inside the hall, during the dinner, additional security measures were implemented. The U.S. Secret Service kept an extra perimeter around the president, including a security area that separated him, along with the other guests seated at the main table, from the rest of the attendees. Armor-plated plates were hidden beneath the table where Trump was seated.
Secret Service agents were stationed in front of the stage and at the sides, as heavily armed counter-assault agents ready to respond to threats. Security teams for dozens of other distinguished guests were also present in the ballroom.
Every year, the White House Correspondents’ Association hosts a dinner to celebrate press freedom and the First Amendment (which protects freedom of expression in the United States). Founded in 1914, the association represents about a thousand journalists who cover the White House.
The event attracts hundreds of journalists, celebrities, and politicians from the two major parties. For decades, it has been held at the Washington Hilton.
“Thank God, he (Trump), the First Lady, and everyone participating in the WHCD (the White House Correspondents’ Dinner) are well,” said Weijia Jiang, the association’s president and a CBS White House correspondent, on social media.
Trump, who has a tense relationship with the media, had previously boycotted the event. Saturday marked his first appearance during any of his terms. He last attended in 2011, when he was a reality TV star.
He said the dinner would be rescheduled within a month. “This was an event dedicated to freedom of expression that should bring together members of both parties with members of the press. And, in a way, that happened,” Trump said on Saturday. “I saw a room that was completely united. In a way, it was very beautiful, a very beautiful thing to see.”
