Gunman subdued at White House Correspondents’ Dinner

Authorities say Cole Allen, 31, forced his way through a security checkpoint before being tackled by agents.

(NBC)- New video shows the tense moments after Secret Service agents subdued a man accused of attempting to carry out an attack near the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington.

Authorities say Cole Allen, 31, forced his way through a security checkpoint before being tackled by agents. During the confrontation, one Secret Service officer was shot but survived thanks to a bulletproof vest.

Donald Trump later described his reaction to the chaos in an interview on 60 Minutes.

“I wasn’t worried. I understand life. We live in a crazy world,” Trump said.

The president also said he initially resisted being moved by security.

“I wanted to see what was happening… I wasn’t making that easy for them,” he said.

Officials say Allen had sent writings to family members expressing a desire to target administration officials. The incident unfolded just as the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner was getting underway, with Trump, the First Lady and JD Vance attending.

Witnesses reported hearing loud bangs outside the ballroom, prompting a swift response from the Secret Service. The vice president was quickly pulled from the room, while agents moved to secure the president and evacuate attendees, including Mike Johnson and other top officials.

The scare is raising new questions about security at the event.

A Secret Service spokesperson told NBC News the dinner was not designated a National Special Security Event—a classification reserved for high-profile gatherings like inaugurations and State of the Union addresses.

Authorities say the investigation is ongoing.