President Donald Trump is scheduled to attend the rescheduled White House Correspondents' Association Dinner on Friday evening, the White House announced. The annual dinner was abruptly halted three months ago when shots were fired inside the venue.
"Alongside all of you members of the media, the president looks forward to finishing what he started before a despicable assassination attempt derailed the original event back in April," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated Thursday.
The April event at the Washington Hilton devolved into chaos after authorities alleged Cole Allen opened fire. Secret Service officer Victor Gonzales was shot during the incident but was protected by his vest, according to the Secret Service. Allen has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including attempted assassination.
This year's rescheduled dinner will take place at the Waldorf Astoria on Pennsylvania Avenue, a different hotel in Washington, D.C. Secret Service director Sean Curran confirmed that the agency is evaluating the new site and implementing security plans.
The White House Correspondents' Association announced Tuesday that it will present the President's Award for Exceptional Service to Officer Gonzales and the staff of the Washington Hilton during the Friday night dinner. Weijia Jiang, former WHCA president, noted Gonzales's courage in running toward danger and the Hilton staff's professionalism during the harrowing situation.
The original dinner was interrupted before the scheduled program, which includes journalism awards, presidential remarks, and entertainment. Mentalist Oz Pearlman, who was slated to perform in April, is expected to headline the rescheduled event. The association expressed its determination to complete the interrupted program.