White House Correspondents Association President Weijia Jiang described the shooting incident at the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner as “a harrowing moment for everyone in attendance” in a statement released on social media following the event. The incident occurred on the evening of April 25, 2026, during the dinner held in Washington, D.C., where Jiang serves as both the president of the WHCA and CBS News’ Senior White House Correspondent.
According to her statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Jiang expressed gratitude to the U.S. Secret Service and all law enforcement agencies present for their swift response in ensuring the safety of attendees. She specifically acknowledged the injured officer, wishing them a full and speedy recovery, while confirming that the President, First Lady, and Vice President were among those unharmed in the ballroom.
Jiang emphasized the resilience of the journalistic community, noting that despite the traumatic event, reporters in attendance immediately resumed their professional duties. “Last night, those journalists showed exactly the kind of calm and courage that work demands, jumping into reporting immediately after the incident unfolded,” she wrote, underscoring the core purpose of the dinner to defend the First Amendment.
The White House Correspondents’ Association, which Jiang has led since 2026, organizes the annual dinner to honor journalistic excellence and advocate for press freedom. Her leadership role followed years of service as a CBS News correspondent, during which she gained national attention in 2020 for a question posed to President Donald Trump regarding the U.S. COVID-19 testing program.
Born in Xiamen, China, and raised in Buckhannon, West Virginia, Jiang immigrated to the United States at age two. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the College of William & Mary and a master’s from Syracuse University. Her career in journalism began after an internship facilitated by a high school teacher’s encouragement, eventually leading to her current position covering the White House for CBS News since July 2018.
In her statement, Jiang called for unity among WHCA members, stating, “We will get through this together,” and affirmed the association’s commitment to continuing its mission despite the disruption. She highlighted that the dinner’s tradition of celebrating journalism remained intact, even as attendees processed the shock of the violence.
The U.S. Secret Service, responsible for the protection of the president and vice president, confirmed its presence at the event as part of standard security protocols for high-profile gatherings involving senior government officials. No further details about the shooter or motive were included in Jiang’s public statement.
As of the time of her message, Jiang noted that many attendees were still coming to terms with what had transpired. She concluded by thanking the public for their support and reaffirming the enduring importance of a free press in American democracy.
For ongoing updates on the investigation and any official statements from law enforcement or the White House, readers are encouraged to monitor official channels including the U.S. Secret Service website and the White House Correspondents’ Association’s verified social media accounts.
We invite our readers to share thoughtful reflections on the role of journalism in safeguarding democratic institutions, especially in moments of crisis. Your comments and perspectives support foster the informed dialogue essential to a free and resilient press.