Trump Evacuated Safely as Gunman Targets White House Correspondents’ Dinner

A dramatic security breach triggered widespread panic on Saturday night after an armed man stormed the lobby outside the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, D.C., where Donald Trump and several senior U.S. officials were उपस्थित.

The suspect, identified by law enforcement sources as Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old from Torrance, California, reportedly approached the Washington Hilton armed with guns and knives before rushing toward the ballroom entrance.

According to officials, the situation escalated when the attacker attempted to breach a security checkpoint, prompting a swift response from Secret Service agents. Reports indicate that the suspect opened fire near the venue, causing chaos among attendees gathered inside the ballroom.

Guests at the high-profile event — which hosts leading journalists, politicians, and dignitaries — described hearing gunshots and immediately diving under tables or fleeing for safety. The incident unfolded rapidly, with security personnel moving in to neutralize the threat before the suspect could access the main hall.

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A law enforcement officer was struck during the confrontation but was protected by a bullet-resistant vest and is expected to recover, authorities confirmed.

The Secret Service quickly evacuated President Trump alongside Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. All were confirmed safe and unharmed.

Speaking shortly after the incident at the White House, Trump described the attacker as a “sick person,” adding that early intelligence suggested the suspect acted alone. “When you’re impactful, they go after you,” he said.

Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser reassured the public that there was no ongoing threat, stating that authorities had “no reason” to believe others were involved.

Security agencies have since launched a full investigation into the security breach at White House Correspondents’ Dinner, focusing on how the suspect managed to get close to one of the most heavily guarded political events in the United States.

The annual dinner — a major fixture in the U.S. political calendar — was abruptly halted following the incident, as officials prioritized the safety of attendees amid heightened U.S. security concerns.

The development comes at a sensitive moment for the Trump administration, with several top officials present at the event amid ongoing U.S.-Iran tensions and global security challenges.

Trump Evacuated Safely as Gunman Targets White House Correspondents’ Dinner

Macron Calls for Strait of Hormuz Reopening as Energy Crisis Fears Mount

French President Emmanuel Macron has reaffirmed efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, warning that continued geopolitical tensions could destabilise global energy supply chains.

He made the remarks on Saturday in Athens during a joint press conference with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, following renewed warnings from energy industry leaders about potential shortages linked to ongoing conflict in the region.

Macron said international efforts are focused on restoring full freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that the priority is to ensure safe passage for global energy shipments. He added that instability and panic in markets can worsen shortages, even when physical supply remains partially available. According to him, the goal is a full reopening “in the coming days and weeks” in line with international law, to guarantee unrestricted maritime movement.

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His comments came shortly after the chief executive of TotalEnergies, Patrick Pouyanné, warned that prolonged disruption could trigger a global energy crisis. Speaking at the World Policy Conference in France, Pouyanné said the world risks severe supply constraints if the situation continues for two to three months, noting that about 20 percent of global oil and gas normally passes through the Strait of Hormuz.

He warned that if such volumes remain blocked, global markets could face serious scarcity, with Asian economies likely to suffer significant impacts due to their heavy reliance on energy imports through the route.

Movement through the Strait has reportedly been affected by rising tensions linked to the US–Israel–Iran conflict, with reports of vessel seizures and heightened military activity in surrounding waters. The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most critical global chokepoints for crude oil, liquefied natural gas, and other essential goods such as fertilizers and pharmaceuticals.

Macron also noted that several countries have expressed willingness to participate in a multinational maritime security mission led by France and Britain to protect shipping routes once conditions allow. However, international coordination remains complex, with differing positions among global powers on how to secure the waterway.

He stressed that the current crisis reflects broader geopolitical instability and called for urgent de-escalation to restore stability. According to him, the situation highlights how global economies are exposed to conflicts affecting critical maritime routes.

Macron Calls for Strait of Hormuz Reopening as Energy Crisis Fears Mount

Trump Orders Aggressive Return of Death Penalty as US Restores Firing Squad, Lethal Injection

The United States Department of Justice has announced a sweeping return to aggressive enforcement of capital punishment, including the reintroduction of firing squads and lethal injection, in a major policy shift under Donald Trump.

In a statement released Friday, the department said it is restoring its mandate to carry out lawful executions of federal death row inmates who have exhausted their appeals. The directive follows an executive order signed by Trump on his first day in office, instructing the Justice Department to prioritise the pursuit and enforcement of death sentences in appropriate cases.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche criticised the previous administration under Joe Biden, accusing it of failing to fully enforce capital punishment. He said the renewed approach is aimed at ensuring justice for victims of violent crimes, including terrorism, child killings, and attacks on law enforcement officers.

The policy marks a direct reversal of the federal execution moratorium introduced by former Attorney General Merrick Garland, which had paused executions pending a review of lethal injection protocols, particularly the use of pentobarbital.

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According to the Justice Department, that review has now concluded that the drug complies with the Eighth Amendment of the US Constitution, which prohibits cruel and unusual punishment. The department’s newly released report, “Restoring and Strengthening the Federal Death Penalty,” supports the resumption of executions under updated guidelines.

As part of the overhaul, federal prosecutors have been authorised to seek the death penalty in at least 44 cases, with Blanche personally approving capital punishment in nine, including cases involving alleged members of the MS-13 gang accused of killing a federal witness.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons has also been directed to reinstate lethal injection protocols, expand execution methods to include firing squads, and explore the construction of new execution facilities capable of handling multiple methods.

Officials further revealed plans to streamline internal legal processes, including reforms to federal habeas corpus procedures, in a bid to reduce delays between conviction and execution—an issue that has long characterised the US capital punishment system.

The announcement also revisits controversial decisions made during the Biden era, including the commutation of sentences for 37 out of 40 federal death row inmates. The current Justice Department criticised that move, arguing it was carried out without sufficient consultation with victims’ families.

The policy shift is expected to reignite intense national debate over death penalty laws in the United States, with critics raising concerns about wrongful convictions, racial disparities, and the ethical implications of state-sanctioned executions. Human rights organisations have also questioned the reintroduction of firing squads, describing it as a regressive step.

Supporters, however, argue that the move reinforces accountability and ensures that the most serious crimes are met with the strongest legal consequences.

With executions now set to resume under expanded methods, the United States once again finds itself at the center of a deeply divisive debate over justice, punishment, and constitutional rights.

US Resumes Executions as Trump Reintroduces Firing Squad Option