President Donald Trump welcomed the rescheduling of the White House Correspondents' Dinner for July 24, arguing that 'we cannot allow Lunatics to change our way of life.' The event was originally postponed after a shooter opened fire at the Hilton in Washington, D.C., prompting Secret Service agents to rush Trump from the stage.
WHCA Announces New Date
In an email to members, White House Correspondents' Association President Weijia Jiang stated that 'rescheduling was not automatic' and that the board made the decision after 'thoughtful consideration and input from our members.' She added that the event will feature 'significantly enhanced safety measures and new access procedures.'
Jiang emphasized that holding a second dinner is a 'statement that violence has no place in American life and a free press will not be intimidated into silence.' On Twitter, she expressed pride in announcing the July 24 date, noting that the WHCA's response will be part of history and that they will not allow an act of violence to have the last word, especially during a year reflecting on America 250.
Background of the Attack
The White House characterized the attack as the third attempted assassination of Trump in less than two years. The dinner was the first Trump attended as president. Many outlets, including HuffPost, chose not to attend in protest of the administration's attacks on the free press.
Responding to the new date on Truth Social, Trump said he had accepted an invitation to attend the second dinner. He wrote: 'This announcement is a very good thing in that we cannot allow Lunatics to change our way of life, or even its scheduling.' The president claimed the event would be held at the Waldorf Astoria in Washington, D.C., though the White House Correspondents' Association did not announce a venue.
Suspect Charged
Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, California, was charged with attempting to assassinate the president, in addition to two weapons charges. An agent was shot while wearing a bulletproof vest but was later released from the hospital. The suspected shooter was apprehended by law enforcement after firing several shots outside the hotel's ballroom. The 31-year-old faces up to life in prison.
