Lawmakers say correspondents' dinner shooting was a chilling reminder of security gaps

CongressMembers of Congress say correspondents' dinner shooting was a chilling reminder of security gapsRank-and-file lawmakers aren't afforded the same protections as members of leadership and Cabinet officials. Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00 body:has(.jw-flag-floating) .article-hero__container, body:has(.jw-flag-floating) .article-hero__media-holder, body:has(.jw-flag-floating) #content { z-index: auto; } Add NBC News to GoogleHouse Speaker Johnson rushed out by Secret Service at WHCD00:16Get more newsLiveonShareAdd NBC News to GoogleApril 30, 2026, 1:01 PM EDTBy Melanie Zanona, Julie Tsirkin and Brennan LeachWASHINGTON — For many members of Congress, Saturday’s shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner was a chilling reminder of not only the threats they face, but also some of the security gaps with which they still contend — especially when they leave Capitol Hill. Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.Unlike members of congressional leadership or high-ranking Trump administration officials, the more than 500 rank-and-file lawmakers are not typically afforded security details. They can, however, coordinate with local police departments for events in their districts or pay to hire their own security. Saturday’s dinner underscored the challenges of protecting so many high-profile people, especially at a time when anti-government violence is at a 30-year high. While members of leadership, who have a 24/7 protective detail from the United States Capitol Police, were evacuated from the dinner in the moments after the shooting, rank-and-file lawmakers were left locked down inside the ballroom with the thousands of other guests. In a panic, Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., asked House Majority Leader Steve Scalise if he could join him as his detail took him out of the ballroom Saturday night. The Louisiana Republican didn’t hesitate, according to Moskowitz, w...