King Charles’ safety for US state go to reviewed as gunman opens hearth at Trump dinner
The Government has insisted King Charles’s security for his US state visit is being taken ‘very seriously’ after a suspected gunman stormed the White House Correspondents’ dinner in Washington DC
A Government minister has stated that the King’s security during his US state visit this week is being taken “very seriously” following an attempted gunman attack at a Washington DC dinner attended by Donald Trump.
The White House Correspondents’ Association dinner was plunged into disarray by the assault on Saturday night, leading to the swift evacuation of the American president, who has previously been the target of an assassination attempt, along with other high-ranking members of the administration by secret service agents.
An officer who was shot but shielded by his bulletproof vest was rushed to hospital. The alleged attacker, reported to have been armed with a shotgun and handgun, has been identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, from Torrance, California.
It’s believed he was a guest at the Washington Hilton hotel where the dinner was taking place. He faces charges including assaulting an officer with a dangerous weapon, but acting US attorney general Todd Blanche said further charges will be brought.
Sir Keir Starmer has extended a message of solidarity to Mr Trump in the wake of the incident, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones told Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips on Sky News.
He stated: “These are remarkable scenes. The Prime Minister has, this morning, sent a message to the president of the United States in solidarity for the events that took place. As you would imagine, with the visit of His Majesty the King this week, our teams are working closely to ensure that security arrangements are put appropriately in place.”
When questioned about any additional concerns for the King’s safety during the state visit commencing on Monday, Mr Jones stated: “As you would imagine, the Government and the Palace take the security of His Majesty very seriously, and there were already extensive discussions taking place, which will continue over the coming days.”
Mr Jones informed the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme that talks regarding the King’s security during his trip to the United States would occur on Sunday.
When asked if this implied there would be any escalation on what had already been planned, he responded: “There’ll be appropriate security in place in relation to the risk.”
Sir Keir expressed his shock at the overnight incident. In a post on X, the Prime Minister declared: “Any attack on democratic institutions or on the freedom of the press must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. It is a huge relief that @POTUS, the First Lady and all those attending are safe.”
Shadow home secretary Chris Philp described the incident as “an attack on democracy”. Speaking to Sky News’s Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips programme, Mr Philp said: “It’s always shocking when a democratically elected politician gets attacked in this way – it’s an attack not just on an individual, but an attack on democracy. I’m pleased, of course, that Donald Trump is unharmed and that the perpetrator has been apprehended.”
The armed attack occurred just a day prior to the state visit by the King and Queen, where they are scheduled to meet Mr Trump and attend a White House banquet on Tuesday.
When questioned about the incident and any potential impact on the trip, Buckingham Palace stated it does not comment on security matters.
The president shared photos on his Truth Social platform of the alleged attacker handcuffed on the ground following his arrest.
Mr Trump pledged to reschedule the disrupted event at a late-night press conference following the shooting, which he said had “unified” political rivals and the media.
He was attending the annual dinner for the first time as president. Mr Trump stated: “My impression is he was a lone wolf whack job. These are crazy people.”
The president commended the secret service and said the gunman was not close to breaching the ballroom where he sat on stage at the time of the incident. He added: “I saw a room that was just totally unified. It was, in one way, very beautiful, a very beautiful thing.
“To see a man charge a security checkpoint armed with multiple weapons, and he was taken down by some very brave members of secret service, and they acted very quickly.”
He added: “It is always shocking when something like this happens.” Washington mayor Muriel Bowser stated she had “no reason” to believe anyone else was involved.
Mr Blanche said: “Tonight you saw the very worst and the very best of this country. You saw the very worst by the actions of that coward… but you also saw the very best because you saw law enforcement do exactly what they’re supposed to do.
“I promise you justice will be served.”
Amongst the attendees at the black tie affair, which Mr Trump said would be rearranged within the next 30 days, was the British ambassador Sir Christian Turner.
The senior diplomat shared on social media: “The @UKinUSA team attending tonight’s White House Correspondents dinner are grateful for the swift and professional response of the Secret Service.
“We are thankful that the President and all those in attendance were unharmed & our best wishes are with the injured officer.”
The Washington Hilton has been the site of a previous attempted presidential assassination when then president Ronald Reagan was shot by John Hinckley Jr outside the hotel in 1981.
It resulted in security being enhanced at the venue.
