SerpApi.Org
Secret Service Director Sean Curran defended the agency’s response to the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in April, even as preparations for the rescheduled dinner on Friday take place.
At the earlier dinner, an alleged shooter struck one officer at the Secret Service check-in on the floor above the event before being detained.
Politics: White House Correspondents' Dinner Rescheduled After Shooting
“That is the success. That is why we set up checkpoints,” Curran said at a press conference on Wednesday. “That is why we have our teams, our special teams, in place because we do plan for that, and that’s the reality.”
“We do expect bad people to show up,” he added. “It’s just a reality of where we are.”
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The alleged gunman was charged with the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump, transportation of a firearm and ammunition in intrastate commerce with intent to commit a felony and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence.
The White House Correspondents’ Association plans to present the President’s Award for Exceptional Service to the WHCA to Secret Service police officer Victor Gonzales and to the staff of the Washington Hilton, where the previous dinner took place.
“The WHCA is deeply grateful that law enforcement officials prevented the armed suspect from entering the ballroom,” WHCA president Weijia Jiang stated in a press release. “Officer Gonzales played a significant role when he ran toward danger so that thousands of others could make it home safely. His courage stemmed from a dedication to service, which we are looking forward to honoring this week.”
