President Donald Trump said Saturday night’s shooting near the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner highlights longstanding security concerns and reinforces his proposal to build a dedicated ballroom at the White House.

Speaking after being evacuated from the Washington Hilton, Trump argued that hosting large-scale events in a public hotel creates avoidable risks and said a purpose-built facility at the White House would provide stronger protections for the president and other officials.

“We need the ballroom,” Trump said, pointing to modern threats and the need for upgraded security measures, including features such as reinforced glass and counter-drone systems.

Authorities said a suspect armed with a shotgun forced his way toward a Secret Service checkpoint outside the event space before being stopped. A United States Secret Service agent was struck during the encounter but was protected by body armor and did not suffer life-threatening injuries.

President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and cabinet officials were evacuated as a precaution while law enforcement secured the area.

President Trump linked the incident to broader concerns about political violence, noting previous threats and attempted attacks, and said evolving risks require expanded federal security infrastructure.

The proposed White House ballroom, estimated at roughly 90,000 square feet and funded through private donations, has faced legal and political scrutiny. Supporters argue it would allow major events to be held within a controlled federal environment, while critics have raised concerns about cost, design, and potential impact on the historic White House grounds.

Several Republican officials voiced support for the proposal following the incident, saying the evacuation demonstrates the vulnerability of hosting large gatherings in publicly accessible venues.

Trump has also questioned the practice of holding the correspondents’ dinner off-site, noting that it is a privately organized event despite the attendance of senior government officials.

The dinner was canceled following the shooting and is expected to be rescheduled as authorities continue to investigate the incident.