Photo: Alamy
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said Sunday that the Trump administration will continue holding public events despite a shooting that disrupted a high-profile Washington gathering attended by top officials.
The remarks came a day after gunfire erupted at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner at the Washington Hilton, prompting security to evacuate President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and other Cabinet members as attendees took cover.
In an interview on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” Blanche said the incident would not change how the administration engages with the public.
“We will not stop doing things like we did last night in this administration,” Blanche said. “And this man, if one of his goals was to get us to be scared, he failed.”
Blanche emphasized that Trump and other officials remain committed to appearing in public settings, including venues outside the White House.
“President Trump said last night, and he means it — and I very much agree with him — that this type of conduct will not deter him, it will not stop him from living,” Blanche said. “It will not stop him from doing his job. And not only him, but the vice president, the Cabinet, the law enforcement, you all journalists, you’re not going to stop doing your jobs either because of this — this lone man that did what he did.”
Authorities said the suspect opened fire near a security checkpoint and was quickly subdued by Secret Service agents before reaching the ballroom, where hundreds had gathered.
Blanche said the administration is still assessing the incident but made clear that it would not alter the president’s schedule or approach to public appearances.
“And so, this is something that we all are still reacting to because it’s fresh, but I assure you that the type of things you saw the president last night and the president being out there and available to the American public, that will not change because of what this guy tried to do last night,” he said.
