Republican Cuban-American Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart responded this Sunday to the shooting that took place the previous night at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, emphasizing in a message on X that "no president in modern U.S. history has been the target of more relentless attacks than President Trump."
The incident unfolded on Saturday evening at the Washington Hilton hotel in Washington D.C., where the 105th edition of the event was underway with about 2,600 attendees, including the president, vice president, cabinet members, and accredited White House press members.
The assailant, identified as Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old resident of Torrance, California, stormed the hotel's security area armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and several knives, firing between five and eight shots near the metal detectors around 8:30 p.m.
Secret Service agents subdued and arrested Allen in the hotel lobby before he could reach the main ballroom.
Trump was evacuated at 8:33 p.m., along with First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and cabinet members such as Marco Rubio, Pete Hegseth, and Tulsi Gabbard.
A Secret Service agent was injured when a bullet was stopped by his bulletproof vest; he was hospitalized and is expected to make a full recovery. There were no fatalities.
Díaz-Balart expressed relief that everyone present emerged unharmed, but he was adamant in describing the incident: "The reality is that it was a very close call."
The congressman urged unequivocal condemnation of the political violence's escalation in the country. "The increasing political violence in our nation, along with rising attacks and threats against elected officials, is deeply alarming and must be denounced unequivocally by everyone, regardless of political beliefs or party affiliation," he stated.
The FBI is investigating the attack as politically motivated. Allen's writings criticized Trump administration policies, and the suspect referred to himself as the "Friendly Federal Killer." Authorities believe he acted alone with the intent to target administration members present at the event.
Allen traveled from California to Chicago and then to Washington by train. The weapons were legally purchased in California over the past two years.
Trump responded to the shooting by posting on Truth Social: "What a night in D.C. The Secret Service and law enforcement did a fantastic job."
In a press conference early Sunday morning, he remarked, "No one told me this job was so dangerous."
FBI Director Kash Patel praised Trump after the incident, while Democratic Congressman Jamie Raskin recounted how the Secret Service threw him to the ground during the chaos, describing that "people were screaming and shouting."
This incident adds to a series of previous attacks against Trump: the shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024, where Thomas Matthew Crooks grazed his right ear, and the attempt in West Palm Beach, Florida, on September 15, 2024, led by Ryan Wesley Routh.
Díaz-Balart concluded his message with a call for unity: "We cannot allow hate and division to further erode our nation. I am praying for our country to reject political violence, overcome our differences, and remain united as Americans."
Key Questions About the Attack on Trump's Event
Who was responsible for the attack at the White House Correspondents' Dinner?
The attacker was Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old from Torrance, California.
What measures were taken after the shooting incident?
The Secret Service evacuated key individuals including President Trump, and subdued the attacker before he could reach the main ballroom.
What was the reaction of Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart to the incident?
Congressman Díaz-Balart expressed relief that no one was harmed and called for the condemnation of political violence.