White House Security

The U.S. Secret Service is investigating reports of gunfire shortly after midnight Sunday in the vicinity of Lafayette Park, directly north of the White House, with no injuries reported and no suspect located after a search of the park and surrounding area. The incident occurred while President Trump was in Washington preparing to host a family Easter dinner at the White House, though officials say White House operations remain normal under a heightened security posture. Temporary road closures were imposed around the park but were lifted by around 8 a.m., according to Secret Service Chief of Communications Anthony Guglielmi. The agency says the investigation is ongoing, is seeking a possible vehicle and person of interest, and is coordinating with U.S. Park Police and D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department, urging anyone with information to contact D.C. police. The gunfire so close to the executive mansion underscores ongoing security concerns in the heavily policed core of the capital, an issue that routinely draws scrutiny whenever shots are reported near the White House grounds.