Kerry Kennedy, a lawyer and activist who is the sister of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., praised Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) for protecting her during a shooting incident at the Washington Hilton Hotel during Saturday's annual White House Correspondents Association dinner.
The event was evacuated after shots were fired above the ballroom, according to authorities. President Trump, making his first appearance at the dinner as sitting president, was evacuated along with first lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and FBI Director Kash Patel.
In a Facebook post published late Saturday evening, Kennedy described the terrifying moments during the incident.
"I hit the floor at the White House Correspondent's Dinner mid conversation with Rep. Jamie Raskin, who heroically protected me, whispering, 'You're ok, you're ok, you're ok,' while my host from The Boston Globe laid on the ground while furiously taking notes, and thousands of journalists, photographers, and editors took cover under tables and beneath chairs," Kennedy wrote.
Kennedy described Secret Service agents rushing into the room with hands on holsters as they evacuated cabinet secretaries to safety. She credited both law enforcement and Raskin for their actions during the chaotic scene.
"Then security started yelling, 'Go, go, go,' demanding that we leave. It was terrifying. But I am still grateful to the brave Secret Service, to my friends at The Boston Globe, and most especially to Rep. Jamie Raskin," she added.
What the Left Is Saying
Democratic lawmakers and allies praised the response of officials including Raskin during Saturday's incident. Several members of Congress who attended the dinner expressed relief that no serious injuries were reported beyond the suspect being taken into custody.
Raskin, a former constitutional law professor representing Maryland's 8th congressional district, has not publicly commented on Kennedy's post as of publication time. The congressman previously served as lead impeachment manager during former President Trump's first Senate trial.
Press freedom advocates noted that the incident occurred at an event dedicated to journalism and free speech, with attendees describing a tense but orderly evacuation under difficult circumstances.
What the Right Is Saying
President Trump addressed reporters from the White House shortly after being evacuated from the dinner, offering remarks on what he witnessed inside the hotel ballroom.
"This was an event dedicated to the freedom of speech that was supposed to bring together members of both parties with members of the press and in a certain way it did," Trump said. "The room was totally unified. It was a very beautiful thing to see."
Republican lawmakers echoed the president's remarks about bipartisanship during the crisis, noting that journalists, politicians, and officials from across the political spectrum responded together as authorities secured the venue.
Some conservative commentators pointed to the Secret Service's swift response in protecting high-profile targets including cabinet secretaries as evidence of effective security protocols.
What the Numbers Show
The alleged suspect in the shooting has been identified as 31-year-old Cole Allen of California, according to police. Authorities say Allen was armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives at the time of his arrest.
No serious injuries were reported among attendees despite the presence of hundreds of journalists, photographers, political officials, and media executives inside the Washington Hilton ballroom.
The FBI has taken over the investigation into the shooting, which occurred in an area above the main event space. Authorities have not yet released a motive for the incident.
The Bottom Line
The White House Correspondents Association dinner has proceeded without major security incidents for decades, making Saturday's shooting a significant departure from tradition at one of Washington highest-profile annual events.
Authorities are continuing to investigate what led Allen to bring multiple weapons into the hotel. Congressional oversight committees may request briefings from law enforcement officials as more details emerge about the suspect and his motivations.
The incident is likely to prompt renewed scrutiny of security protocols for large political gatherings in Washington, particularly those involving the president and other senior government officials.