'Relieved To Learn Trump, First Lady Are Safe': PM Modi On White House Press Dinner Shooting

PM Modi condemned the Washington shooting incident, expressing relief that Donald Trump and other US leaders were unharmed. He asserted that violence has no place in a democracy.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed relief over the safety of US President Donald Trump and other top leaders following the recent shooting incident near a high-profile event in Washington, DC.

In a statement on X, PM Modi said, “Relieved to learn that President Trump, the First Lady and Vice President are safe and unharmed following the recent security incident at a Washington DC hotel. I extend my best wishes for their continued safety and well-being.”

Condemning the attack, the Prime Minister stressed the need to reject violence in democratic societies. 

“Violence has no place in a democracy and must be unequivocally condemned,” he said.

The reaction comes after a shooting near the venue of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, where a suspect armed with weapons attempted to breach a security checkpoint before being apprehended.

The incident caused panic among attendees, with US Secret Service officials confirming that the president and other dignitaries were safely evacuated and a suspect was taken into custody.

Trump Lauds Secret Service For Swift Action

US President Donald Trump on Saturday praised Secret Services and law enforcement personnel for their swift and brave response in handling the situation. He said a Secret Service officer was shot during the recent security incident but survived due to wearing a bulletproof vest.

Speaking in the press briefing room, Trump said the officer was hit at close range with a powerful weapon, but the vest “did the job,” adding that he had spoken to the officer, who was in good condition and “in very high spirits.”

Trump also raised concerns about the security of the venue, calling it “not a particularly secure building.” He stressed the need for enhanced protective infrastructure, including plans for a more secure White House ballroom equipped with features such as bulletproof glass and drone protection.

Highlighting long-standing demands from security agencies, Trump said the Secret Service and military had pushed for such upgrades for years, but current threats make them more urgent than ever.