INTERNACIONAL
Security under scrutiny as WHCD attendees cite inconsistent screening before shooting
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A shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner is raising fresh questions about security at one of Washington’s highest-profile events, with some attendees describing what they saw as lapses in screening and access control.
While the Secret Service and federal law enforcement moved quickly to secure President Donald Trump and other officials, accounts from attendees and lawmakers have painted a mixed picture of the security posture at the Washington Hilton.
WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS’ DINNER SHOOTING SHARPENS FOCUS ON TRUMP’S BALLROOM CONSTRUCTION PROPOSAL
Misha Komadovsky, a journalist for Germany’s DW, shared a photo on X of the paper ticket used by attendees to gain access to the event, saying it was «the only thing required» for entry into the Washington Hilton ballroom. «There was no security screening prior to entering the lobby,» he wrote.
ABC News reporter Beatrice Peterson, who wrote on X that she has attended the event for more than a decade, offered a more measured assessment, saying the overall security posture appeared consistent with past years.
She noted that pre-event gatherings tend to be more fluid, while the dinner itself is typically more tightly controlled, and that security — both plainclothes and uniformed — is always present inside and outside the venue.
Peterson described the crowd and security presence as «typical-ish» for a year in which the president attends the dinner, suggesting no obvious deviations from past practice.
However, she said multiple investigations are expected to examine what happened and whether any failures occurred, adding the incident could permanently change how the event is handled going forward.
SECRET SERVICE IN LINE OF FIRE AT WHCA SHOOTING STILL UNPAID DUE TO DEM-LED SHUTDOWN
Security officials hunt for threat as shots fired at correspondents’ dinner. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)
Harrison Fields, a former White House principal deputy press secretary, told «FOX & Friends» there were «no checkpoints to get into the hotel,» adding that the gunman could have been «roaming» and observing attendees before the incident.
«There was a VIP reception right off the main ballroom where Cabinet secretaries were, where the president could have been — and there was no security apparatus leading up to that point,» Fields said.
Fields acknowledged that the Secret Service and local law enforcement «took immediate steps to keep us safe,» but said there was «no real buffer» in place, which he noticed as soon as he arrived.
WORLD LEADERS CONDEMN ‘UNACCEPTABLE’ VIOLENCE AFTER ARMED ATTACK DISRUPTS WH CORRESPONDENTS’ DINNER
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Michael Waltz and his wife Julia Nesheiwat, former U.S. Homeland Security Advisor, are rushed out of the Washington Hilton on April 25, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Al Drago/Getty Images)
Even as some attendees described the security posture as typical, lawmakers offered a far more critical assessment.
Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., pointed to what he described as «glaring security issues,» even as he acknowledged that the Secret Service and federal law enforcement «acted swiftly» to secure the ballroom and move President Donald Trump and other officials to safety.
In a post on X, Lawler said there was no photo ID requirement or verified attendee list, which he noted is standard for White House events. He also cited the absence of magnetometers before entry to the ballroom and said multiple pre-event receptions with limited security created potential access points.
Lawler said the building remained open to the public and raised concerns about accountability inside the room, noting there was no clear handle on how many members of Congress were present or where they were seated.
He called for a «complete and thorough after-action» review, focusing on how the gunman moved from his hotel room into what he described as a secure area with multiple firearms.
ARMED MAN SHOT AND KILLED AFTER ‘UNAUTHORIZED ENTRY’ INTO MAR-A-LAGO: SECRET SERVICE
Police and National Guard stand in front of the Washington Hilton after the White House Correspondents Association Dinner was postponed April 25, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., who attended the dinner, also raised concerns about the venue itself. «We were there front and center,» Fetterman said. «That venue wasn’t built to accommodate an event with the line of succession for the U.S. government.»
Similarily, Kari Lake, a Trump ally in attendance, echoed criticism of the security measures. «I was there. Security was terrible at the event,» Lake wrote on X. «It was the easiest event I’ve ever gained access to that the president was at. It was so bad we talked about it at our table before the shots rang out.»
The Washington Hilton has long hosted high-level government events, including gatherings attended by the president, vice president and members of Congress beyond the annual dinner.
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Last week, the First Lady’s Luncheon was held in the same ballroom, where first lady Melania Trump and second lady Usha Vance delivered remarks.
The Secret Service’s familiarity with the venue helped enable a swift response — and is one reason the White House Correspondents’ Dinner has been held there annually since 1968.
white house, homeland security, media, donald trump, politics
INTERNACIONAL
Mayor calls upscale restaurant bombing a ‘brutal terrorist act’ after 3 killed, 21 injured
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A bombing at an upscale restaurant in Moscow that killed three people and wounded at least 21 others on Saturday was a «brutal terrorist act,» according to the city’s mayor, who vowed to hunt down those responsible for the attack.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin made the declaration Sunday, a day after the explosion tore through the Balzi Rossi Italian restaurant in the Russian capital.
«Yesterday, a brutal terrorist act was committed in Moscow that claimed human lives. The victims are currently in the city’s hospitals, where they are receiving all necessary care,» Sobyanin wrote on social media Sunday.
EXPLOSION AT RESTAURANT IN CENTRAL MOSCOW LEAVES THREE DEAD, MORE THAN A DOZEN INJURED
Police block an area near a deadly explosion at a restaurant in Moscow, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026. (Sergei Vedyashkin/Moscow News Agency via AP)
He added investigators are working to identify those behind the attack and vowed they «will certainly be found and will face the punishment they deserve.»
Russian authorities have not identified any suspects, and no group had claimed responsibility as of Sunday.
Emergency vehicles are parked in an area near a deadly explosion at a restaurant in Moscow, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026. (Sergei Vedyashkin/Moscow News Agency via AP)
Russia’s National Anti-Terrorism Committee said the blast was caused by a homemade explosive device. Russian state news agency RIA Novosti, citing local officials, reported that a woman carrying the bomb tried to enter the restaurant but was stopped by a security guard before it exploded.
The blast killed the woman, the security guard and a restaurant patron, RIA Novosti reported. At least 21 other people were injured in the explosion, which happened around 8 p.m. local time at the restaurant on Kudrinskaya Square.
UKRAINE UNLEASHES MORE THAN 400 DRONES NEAR MOSCOW IN ONE OF WAR’S BIGGEST ATTACKS
The restaurant was closed to the public Saturday night for a private event, according to its website and Russian state media.
Police block an area near a deadly explosion at a restaurant in Moscow, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026. (Sergei Vedyashkin/Moscow News Agency via AP)
Video released by Russian state media showed heavily armed police officers, ambulances and other emergency vehicles outside the damaged restaurant as investigators examined the scene.
Earlier this year, Russia’s Federal Security Service, or FSB, said it would tighten security for senior military and government officials following a series of assassination attempts in Russian cities since the Kremlin launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Russian authorities have not linked the restaurant bombing to those earlier attacks or to the war in Ukraine.
Fox News Digital’s Brie Stimson and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
russia, terrorism, bombings, crime world, world
INTERNACIONAL
Dos helicópteros chocaron en pleno vuelo mientras combatían los incendios forestales en Grecia
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Republicans in California are making a voter ID ballot initiative the centerpiece of their 2026 strategy as Americans’ frustration grows over affordability and education issues.
«Californians need to feel secure in our elections,» California GOP Chairwoman Corrin Rankin told Fox News Digital in an interview. «The way it is now, there’s so much room for uncertainty and confusion. What Proposition 39 is going to do is it’s going to sort of close the loopholes. It’s a commonsense solution that will strengthen our democracy.»
Beyond the ballot measure, Rankin argues the initiative reflects broader voter frustration that Republicans hope to capitalize on in the 2026 midterms. She claims California voters are primarily concerned about affordability, education and confidence in state government.
SEN MARK WARNER CALLED OUT IN ABC INTERVIEW FOR INACCURATE VOTER ID CLAIMS
California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is term-limited, spoke this week in California. (Reuters)
«Californians need to feel like we can trust our election systems, and trust is not given. Trust is earned and this will allow Californians to feel more like they can trust our election system,» she added.
The Golden State’s primary race on June 2 garnered national attention and widespread criticism after it took weeks to deliver results. California election officials continued to count ballots postmarked by Election Day even if they arrived within seven days — and they are permitted up to 30 days to certify results.
In the primaries, the Los Angeles mayoral race became the center of controversy, and President Donald Trump’s was among the chorus of voices challenging the runoff election results, alleging irregularities as the count continued past Election Day.
Spencer Pratt ultimately lost the race with far-left City Council Member Nithya Raman advancing to face incumbent Democrat Mayor Karen Bass in the general election in November. The race was called six days after the June 2 elections.
«There’s so many other states throughout our country and throughout the world actually that seem to be able to have a winner on election night,» said Rankin. «It’d be wonderful if California could do the same.»
CALIFORNIA’S SLUGGISH VOTE COUNTING RIPPED ACROSS THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM: ‘EXTREMELY EMBARRASSING’
A driver refuels a vehicle with diesel fuel at a Shell gas station in Seattle March 9, 2026. (M. Scott Brauer/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
While election reform is the party’s signature ballot effort, Rankin says kitchen table issues will determine whether Republicans make gains in November.
She said affordability is the No. 1 concern among voters with California recently landing in the top five most expensive states, according to The Missouri Economic Research and Information Center’s quarterly Cost of Living Index.
«A lot of parents want their adult children to stay in California, to be a part of and contribute to the same California dream that was so great for our grandparents and our parents,» said Rankin. «We want it to be great for us and for our children. Affordability is the top issue.»
NEWSOM UNDER FIRE AS CALIFORNIA GAS TAX HIKE SENDS PUMP PRICES EVEN HIGHER
California drivers are paying about $5.65 per gallon for regular gasoline, roughly $1.25 more, or about 28% higher, than they were at this time last year, according to AAA and federal energy data.
Rankin also said Californians are concerned about their school systems with zip codes determining the quality of education students receive, which has long been an argument in the Republican push for school choice.
«When [candidates] keep their race focused on their district, focused on the voters in their district and the issues that matter most to those voters, stay focused on issues like affordability, children’s education, the prices of gas and groceries, things like that,» said Rankin. «That’s what voters want to hear. That’s what they care about. They care about what happens locally.»
California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during a news conference for a housing affordability reform bill signing July 13, 2026, in Oakland, Calif. (Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images)
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is serving his second and final term, fueling speculation about a 2028 presidential bid and creating what Rankin believes is an opportunity for Republicans to win back voters disillusioned with Democratic leadership.
Pointing to the state’s troubled high-speed rail project, Rankin argued California has become a cautionary tale of government waste under one-party rule.
«We’ve got a bullet train that he’s been funding with billions of dollars for years, yet we have no train. So, where’s the money going to?» Rankin asked.
Critics have long scrutinized the project, which was approved by voters in 2008 with an estimated $33 billion price tag but is now projected to cost more than $200 billion.
Rankin said the spending reflects what she views as a broader ideological shift within the Democratic Party, arguing California has embraced policies that are now spreading nationwide.
«I think that the Democrats have gone so far to the left that many Californians just don’t see themselves … many Democrats in California just don’t relate to the current flow of the Democrat party,»Rankin said.
«They’re moving way too far into the extremism of socialism. I think a lot of people have red flags and just don’t want to be part of it.»
Fox News Digital reached out to Gov. Gavin Newsom for comment.
california, midterm elections, elections state and local, campaigning, voting, politics
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