(AFP) – World leaders expressed shock after a shooter charged a glitzy media gala in Washington on Saturday night attended by US President Donald Trump — and relief that there were no casualties. US law enforcement said the sole suspect, armed with “a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives,” has been detained and will face charges Monday in federal court.
Here is how leaders reacted:
– **Keir Starmer** – Britain’s prime minister said he was “shocked by the scenes at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington overnight.” “Any attack on democratic institutions or on the freedom of the press must be condemned in the strongest possible terms,” Starmer wrote on X on Sunday.
– **Emmanuel Macron** – French President Emmanuel Macron said the incident was “unacceptable.” “Violence has no place in a democracy,” he said on X. “I extend my full support to Donald Trump.”
– **Benjamin Netanyahu** – The Israeli prime minister said he and his wife Sara “were shocked by the attempted assassination” of Trump. “We are relieved that the President and the First Lady are safe and strong,” Netanyahu wrote on X. “We send our wishes for a full and speedy recovery to the wounded police officer and salute the US Secret Service for their swift and decisive action.”
– **Narendra Modi** – The prime minister of India said he was “relieved to learn that President Trump, the First Lady and Vice President are safe and unharmed.” “I extend my best wishes for their continued safety and well-being. Violence has no place in a democracy and must be unequivocally condemned,” Modi wrote on X.
– **Mark Carney** – The Canadian prime minister said he was “relieved that the President, the First Lady, and all guests are safe.” “Political violence has no place in any democracy and my thoughts are with all those who have been shaken by this disturbing event,” Carney wrote on X.
– **Claudia Sheinbaum** – The Mexican president wrote on X that “it is good that President Trump and his wife are safe following the recent events. We send them our respect.” “Violence must never be the way,” Sheinbaum added.
– **Pedro Sanchez** – Spain’s prime minister condemned what he called “the attack that took place tonight against President (Trump).” “Violence is never the answer. Humanity will only move forward through democracy, coexistence, and peace,” Sanchez wrote on X.
– **Viktor Orban** – Hungary’s outgoing prime minister Viktor Orban, a Trump ally, said: “There’s no place for violence in politics.”
– **Kaja Kallas** – EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Sunday that “political violence has no place in a democracy.” Kallas said she was “relieved” there were no casualties, adding: “An event meant to honour a free press should never become a scene of fear.”
– **Shehbaz Sharif** – The Pakistani prime minister wrote he was “deeply shocked by the disturbing shooting incident.” “Relieved to know that President Trump, the First Lady, and other attendees are safe. My thoughts and prayers are with him, and I wish him continued safety and well-being,” Sharif wrote on X.
© 2024 AFP
