Just before 9:00 p.m., Weijia Jiang of CBS News, the president of the White House Correspondents’ Association, took the stage to provide an update to the gathered guests.
“Our program is going to resume momentarily,” Jiang said. “And we will have more details to share. Also momentarily, but for now, please just be patient as we figure out just how much time will be, but it shouldn’t be that much longer. Thank you very much. Thank you.”
The Secret Service has since released a brief statement confirming the incident. A spokesperson stated that “protective movements were initiated out of an abundance of caution” and confirmed that all protectees are “safe and accounted for at the White House.”
ORIGINAL REPORT: Secret Service agents abruptly evacuated President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump from the Washington Hilton ballroom during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday night.
The evacuation occurred while the President was seated at the head table, forcing an immediate halt to the evening’s festivities.
Agents moved toward the dais without prior warning, surrounding the First Family and escorting them through a rear exit.
Other officials seated at the head table were also cleared from the room by security details. The incident took place before the scheduled keynote performances had begun.
Following the removal of the President, security personnel placed the ballroom under a temporary lockdown. Guests were instructed to remain in their seats while the Secret Service and D.C. Metropolitan Police secured the hotel perimeter.
Additional law enforcement arrived at the North Lobby entrance shortly after the dais was cleared.
The White House has not yet disclosed the specific nature of the threat or the reason for the emergency evacuation.
This is a developing story.
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