WHCA President Weijia Jiang Honors Journalists' Bravery After DC Shooting Incident

White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) President Weijia Jiang praised journalists for their "calm and courage" in the aftermath of a shooting at the 2026 White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday night.

In a statement posted on X on Sunday morning, Jiang reflected on the incident at the Washington Hilton, calling it a "harrowing moment for everyone in attendance."

"Last night’s shooting at the Washington Hilton was a harrowing moment for everyone in attendance. We express our deepest gratitude to the U.S. Secret Service and all law enforcement personnel who ensured the safety of everyone in the ballroom and beyond. Their actions protected thousands of guests, and we wish a full and speedy recovery to the officer who was injured in the line of duty. We are grateful everyone in attendance was unharmed, including the president, the first lady and the vice president."

Jiang, a senior White House correspondent for CBS News, emphasized the importance of the event in celebrating the First Amendment and the work of journalists.

"Our dinner exists to celebrate the First Amendment and the hard daily work of the journalists who defend it. Last night, those journalists showed exactly the kind of calm and courage that work demands, jumping into reporting immediately after the incident unfolded. We are proud of everyone in that room."

The WHCA board is scheduled to meet to evaluate the situation and determine next steps. Updates will be provided as they become available.

"I know many of you are still processing what happened last night. Thank you to the USSS and all the law enforcement agencies who kept us safe. We are so grateful. To the members of the WHCA, we will get through this together."