In the wake of the shooting at the White House Correspondent’s Dinner last Saturday, attention has quickly turned to how security was handled at such a prominent event.
In a statement provided to the BBC, President Trump said he continued to have complete confidence in the teams responsible for protecting him, adding they did an ‘excellent job’ ensuring attendees were kept safe. Even so, the incident has fuelled ongoing questions about how the venue was secured.
Officers were able to stop alleged gunman Cole Allen after a brief exchange of gunfire.
Officials have since said a meeting will take place later this week to assess ‘protocol and practices’ for future major events involving the president.
Meanwhile, Fox News host Jimmy Failla was reportedly picked up on a hot mic raising concerns about entry procedures at the Washington Hilton, claiming ‘two random chicks’ appeared to be responsible for allowing guests inside.
The conservative comedian was heard making the remarks while speaking with people on the red carpet, describing what he believed were noticeably relaxed measures for an event of this profile.
Failla, a former New York taxi driver who later moved into stand-up, hosts Fox Across America, which airs on Saturday nights.
He was caught saying: “They have like two random chicks holding the front door open.
“Like guys, they’re not even trying anymore…they’re not even secret service people.
“It’s like the girls who work here are holding the door.
“They might as well put a doorstop in.
“They put up a doorstop and a scarecrow: Don’t f–k with this guy.”
Afterwards, Failla told Fox News host Trace Gallagher he had only just left the red carpet when the shooting began.
Yikes! Fox 5 caught on hot mic talking about the security at the Correspondents Dinner.
"They have like two random chicks holding the front door open. Like guys, they're not even trying anymore…they're not even secret service people. It's like the girls who work here are… pic.twitter.com/5IZCTYQfzs
— Christopher Webb (@cwebbonline) April 27, 2026
Failla’s comments came roughly an hour before Cole Tomas Allen allegedly forced his way past security, breached the checkpoint and opened fire.
Allen, 31, was reportedly carrying a handgun, a shotgun and knives.
Authorities say that after rushing the checkpoint he traded shots with security just outside the crowded ballroom at the Washington Hilton, where Trump and other high-profile government figures were gathered alongside journalists for the annual event.
He was quickly brought to the ground and was unhurt by during the incident.
One officer was shot, though his bulletproof vest is said to have prevented life-threatening injuries.
NBC News reports that before the attack, Allen sent a note to relatives apologizing to his parents, colleagues, students, bystanders and others for what he was about to do.
“I don’t expect forgiveness,” Allen wrote. “Again, my sincere apologies.”
In the same note, Allen criticised Trump without naming him directly. He also referenced what he believed were weak security arrangements at the hotel, writing that he expected more.
He went on to outline his “expected rules of engagement,” stating: “Administration officials (not including Mr. Patel): they are targets, prioritized from highest-ranking to lowest.”
He appeared to be referring to FBI Director Kash Patel.
Later in the letter, he added: “I experience rage thinking about everything this administration has done.”
Investigators later located a Bluesky account they believe belonged to Allen, containing posts strongly critical of the Trump administration’s policies, as well as commentary on the war with Iran and Russia’s war with Ukraine.
Following the incident, the Secret Service — which oversees protection for the president — said additional steps will be taken to strengthen security at future events.
The agency said enhancements will be introduced going forward to bolster safeguards when the president and other senior political figures attend large public gatherings.
Spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi told CBS News that while the security posture at the dinner worked in key respects, further changes are expected ‘at every level’.
He said: “While the protective model for White House Correspondents’ Dinner event proved effective, the key takeaway for future events is that enhancements should be expected at every level, as that is how the model is designed to function.
“Every protective decision is driven by intelligence amid a dynamic and currently elevated threat environment.
“We are actively focused on identifying the trigger for this incident and fully understanding the factors that led to it.”