The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, has publicly condemned the armed attack suffered by the President of the United States, Donald Trump, on Saturday night in Washington, and has underlined that violence “is never the way”.
Through his official account on X, Sánchez expressed his rejection of what happened and sent a message in defense of democratic values. “We condemn the attack that took place tonight against President Donald Trump. Violence is never the way. Humanity will only advance through democracy, coexistence, and peace,” he wrote.
Immediate reaction from Moncloa
The message from the head of the Spanish Executive arrived a few hours after Trump was evacuated from the White House Correspondents' Dinner, held at the Washington Hilton hotel, following the intrusion of an armed man into the event's access area.
We condemn the attack that took place tonight against President @realDonaldTrump.
— Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) April 26, 2026
Violence is never the way. Humanity will only advance through democracy, coexistence, and peace.
Sánchez's quick reaction places Spain among the first European leaders to speak out publicly after the incident, in a context of maximum international sensitivity regarding the US leader's security.
Trump emerged unscathed
According to initial information released by US media, the suspect, identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, was subdued by the Secret Service after attempting to advance armed towards the hall where Trump was with the First Lady, Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and several members of the Administration.
An agent was injured by a gunshot, although protected by his bulletproof vest. Trump was evacuated without harm and later returned to the White House.
Third assassination attempt
The incident also reopens the debate on presidential security in the United States, after Trump has already survived several violent episodes since his return to power.
While Washington investigates the attacker's motivation, Sánchez's reaction aligns with the usual position of European governments in the face of such events: immediate condemnation, institutional support, and defense of democratic channels.