As investigators learn more about the exact circumstances behind the shooting at Saturday night’s White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner in Washington D.C., Louisiana officials who attended the event issued their own statements. Governor Jeff Landry posted on his Facebook page, “Unfortunately, the First Lady and I had to be evacuated,” adding that he was, “alongside the President and the entire cabinet.”
Governor Landry then concluded, “This event is yet another reason that President Donald J. Trump’s ballroom should be built!”
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, who represents Louisiana’s 1st Congressional District, posted on his X account, “I’m incredibly grateful for the brave members of law enforcement who acted quickly to protect all of us.”
Scalise is no stranger to violence. He was critically wounded when a gunman opened fire in June 2017, during a practice for a congressional baseball game. And he concluded his social media post, “This is an event meant to bring people together. Violence has no place in our country.”
A key component of the U.S. Secret Service response Saturday night, involved protection of the Trump Administration. Specifically, below the President of the United States, there are 18 officials in the line of succession. First on the list is the Vice President, J.D. Vance.
Second in succession is Speaker of the House. On Sunday, Speaker Mike Johnson, who represents Louisiana’s 4th Congressional District, posted on his X account quote:
“Many in the media are discussing how President Trump was so remarkably calm and in control through the events last night. This is the mark [of] a great leader, and it defines who Donald trump is.”
Since the events of Saturday night, there has been more discussion of the line of succession, since at least a dozen cabinet level officers attended the weekend gala. Third in line, behind Speaker Johnson is President Pro Tempore of the Senate Chuck Grassley. The 92-year-old Republican was not in attendance, but instead back home in Iowa at the time.
Reaction From Louisiana Leaders in Attendance at White House Correspondents’ Dinner
