House Speaker Mike Johnson, on Monday, urged the U.S. Secret Service to strengthen its security procedures after a gunman breached a checkpoint at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner over the weekend.

The incident occurred Saturday night at the Washington Hilton, where President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and other senior officials were attending the annual event. Authorities said the suspect managed to get past a security screening area and attempted to move toward the main ballroom before being stopped by law enforcement, prompting a rapid evacuation.

Johnson, who attended the dinner, questioned the effectiveness of the security setup, saying it appeared insufficient based on what he observed. “From a layman’s perspective, it looked a little lax in terms of getting into the building,” he said during a televised interview, adding that screening measures did not appear robust enough.

Republican leaders expressed relief that no senior officials were harmed and praised law enforcement for stopping the suspect before further damage occurred. Johnson noted that he and other top officials entered through a separate secured entrance with additional protective measures.

Federal authorities are continuing to investigate the incident. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said officials believe the suspect intended to target administration figures, likely including the president, while describing the outcome as a success in preventing a more serious attack.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the response, stating that security personnel acted quickly to remove the president and vice president to safety and neutralize the threat.

The White House Correspondents’ Association dinner is a major annual gathering that brings together top government officials and media figures, presenting unique security challenges due to the concentration of high-level attendees.

At least one law enforcement officer was struck during the incident but was protected by a bullet-resistant vest and is expected to recover. The suspect was stopped before reaching the main event area and is expected to appear in court.

Johnson said the episode underscores the need for stronger protections moving forward and indicated that Congress may pursue oversight of security procedures at similar events.