Lawmakers slam ‘reprehensible’ WH attack after gunfire prompts emergency lockdown

WASHINGTON, DC: Lawmakers and public officials from both parties reacted on Saturday, May 23, night after a gunman opened fire near the White House, prompting an armed response from the US Secret Service and a temporary lockdown of the presidential complex.

President Donald Trump was at the White House during the incident but was not injured, according to officials. The shooting quickly drew reactions from elected officials across the political spectrum, many condemning political violence and praising the response from law enforcement officers on the scene. 

Lawmakers condemn WH shooting 

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he was “horrified” by the shooting and thanked the Secret Service for responding quickly. “There is no room for political violence in our democracy,” Mamdani wrote on X.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul also condemned the violence, saying the actions of the Secret Service helped prevent the situation from escalating further. “Political violence has no place in America,” Hochul wrote. “The quick actions of the Secret Service tonight prevented an already dangerous situation near the White House from becoming even worse.”

DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said he was closely monitoring developments and thanked law enforcement officers involved in the response. “Tonight’s shooting is a reminder of the dangers our law enforcement officers face every day,” Mullin wrote. 

Rep Mike Collins called the incident “another violent attack” and blamed what he described as increasingly divisive political rhetoric. “The continued violence directed at the President is despicable,” Collins wrote. 

Rep Lisa McClain wrote simply: “Praying for PRESIDENT TRUMP. Political violence must stop.”

Rep Anna Paulina Luna also reacted on social media, writing that she was praying “everyone at the WH is okay, The President is in the midst of negotiating a peace deal with Iran, and some nutjob just showed up at the WH and started firing.”

Rep Shri Thanedar said political violence was “100 per cent unacceptable” and stressed that disagreements should be resolved “at the ballot box.”

Secret Service fatally shoots suspect after exchange of gunfire

According to the US Secret Service, the shooting occurred shortly after 6 pm near a security checkpoint at 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW. Officials said a man approached the checkpoint, removed a firearm from a bag and opened fire on officers.

Secret Service officers returned fire, striking the suspect, who was later pronounced dead at a hospital. Authorities identified the suspect as 21-year-old Nasire Best. Officials said a bystander was also shot during the exchange, though it was not immediately clear whose gunfire caused the injury.

The Secret Service said no officers were injured and confirmed that Trump remained unharmed inside the White House during the incident. A White House official said the president was briefed shortly afterward.

Law enforcement officials said Best had previous encounters with authorities and a documented history of mental health concerns. Court records show he was arrested in July after entering a restricted area near the White House, where he allegedly claimed he was Jesus Christ and wanted to be arrested.