"Violence has no place in democracy," says Macron on WH shooting incident; NATO, EU chiefs condemn incident

At the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington DC, US President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and other high-ranking officials from his cabinet were present. According to officials, the incident triggered a swift response by the US Secret Service, with one suspect later taken into custody.

French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on X, "The armed attack targeting the President of the United States last night is unacceptable. Violence has no place in democracy. I extend my full support to Donald Trump."

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte also expressed alarm on X, stating, "I am shocked by the attack on the White House Correspondents' Dinner. Relieved that President Trump, the First Lady and all the guests are safe and sound. This was an attack on our free and open societies. We stand for democracy and in solidarity with the United States."

The event, traditionally a gathering of media and political figures, was abruptly disrupted as security forces secured the area.

The incident unfolded when a 31-year-old man allegedly stormed a security checkpoint at the entrance of the event, with suspected gunshots heard, prompting a swift response from law enforcement and Secret Service members ushering Trump out of the venue to safety.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen highlighted both concern and relief following direct communication with the US president.

"I just spoke to @POTUS Donald Trump to express my solidarity with him and @FLOTUS after the attempted attack. Thanks to the security services no one was seriously harmed and the injured police officer is recovering. We underlined that political violence has no place in our democracies." (ANI)