Vice President JD Vance has spoken about the moment that ‘freaked him out’ after a gunman stormed the Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday evening (April 25).
The annual event, hosted by the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) at the Washington Hilton to honor journalism and the press, was thrown into chaos when a gunman broke through security in what authorities described as an apparent assassination attempt targeting Donald Trump and his administration.
Cole Tomas Allen, 31, has since been charged with attempt to assassinate the President of the United States, using a firearm during a crime of violence, and the transportation of firearm in interstate commerce with intent to commit a felony.
Video captured the moment Trump and Vance were swiftly escorted off the stage by Secret Service agents after gunshots rang out. Vance later discussed the frightening scene during an appearance on Fox News’ The Will Cain Show, explaining what rattled him most as events unfolded.
“The first thing that happened that freaked me out a little bit was we heard an agent had been shot, and in the fog of war, I thought ‘Oh, my god, this guy is actually seriously injured or maybe worse,” the vice president recalled.
“We found out later, of course, he was not injured, not seriously injured,”
The agent was struck in the chest, but Trump said the officer’s ballistic vest prevented serious harm. The agent is now recovering and is reportedly in ‘great shape’.
Vance also used the interview to commend the Secret Service response, saying: “I gained appreciation for what an amazing job the agents of the Secret Service do. They went right to me, way to the president of the United States, put their lives in harm’s way.
“I’ve had a Secret Service detail for all of two years. I wouldn’t say I’m used to it, but it’s interesting; you kind of get used to it.”
Continuing, Vance described how agents can blend into the background of daily life until a crisis forces their role into sharp focus: “They’re driving you to the White House. They’re the people that hang out with your kids when your kids are running around outside, they kind of stay in the background of your life a little bit, and it’s easy to forget the reason they are there is for nights like what happened Saturday night.”
In another part of the conversation, Vance said his main concern was for his wife, Usha Vance, who was not at the dinner and did not have immediate clarity about what had happened.
He also noted that, at least initially, he didn’t fully understand what was unfolding inside the ballroom.
“There were some loud noises, I had no idea what it was,” he added. “Before I had any idea of what was going on I started seeing people duck under the tables, and respond to what was going on far in the back of the ballroom.”