{"id":2598286,"date":"2026-05-03T15:58:01","date_gmt":"2026-05-03T19:58:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/salena-zito-points-to-perimeter-security-after-whca-dinner\/"},"modified":"2026-05-03T16:00:41","modified_gmt":"2026-05-03T20:00:41","slug":"salena-zito-points-to-perimeter-security-after-whca-dinner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/salena-zito-points-to-perimeter-security-after-whca-dinner\/","title":{"rendered":"Salena Zito points to perimeter security after WHCA dinner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fsalena-zito-points-to-perimeter-security-after-whca-dinner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2598286&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Salena Zito, a Washington Examiner columnist who was present at the 2024 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, said that after a third <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fbi-conducted-nearly-100-interviews-post-trump-assassination-attempt-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"FBI conducted nearly 100 interviews post Trump assassination attempt- Washington Examiner\">assassination attempt-<\/a>this time linked to the White House Correspondents\u2019 association dinner-the biggest security issue likely lies with perimeter defenses rather than the immediate detail closest to President Donald Trump.she argued that agents surrounding Trump are highly reactive and protective, but that gaps or problems \u201cin the details surrounding the perimeters\u201d can leave vulnerabilities.<\/p>\n<p>Zito said that during the Butler shooting, agents quickly formed a physical barrier and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/court-rules-trump-has-no-immunity-in-jan-6-case\/\" title=\"Court denies Trump immunity in Jan. 6 case\">shielded trump<\/a> with their bodies, and she described a similar firsthand experience of being pulled down and protected by a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/los-angeles-da-hires-anti-cop-activist-for-top-prosecutor-job\/\" title=\"Los Angeles DA Hires Anti-Cop Activist for Top Prosecutor Job\">campaign aide<\/a> until the gunfire stopped. She also discussed a recurring tension between security protocols and trump\u2019s desire to appear in public, noting that he has told her being outside is \u201cvery unsafe\u201d but that he still <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >prioritizes projecting strength<\/a> and continuity-while she believes it\u2019s difficult to stop him from continuing public-facing actions.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p><em>Washington Examiner <\/em>columnist <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/author\/salena-zito\/\" type=\"mediapress_author\" id=\"12904\">Salena Zito<\/a> said security concerns surrounding President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4\">Donald Trump <\/a>should focus on perimeter protections after a third assassination attempt at the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/white-house-correspondents-dinner\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"2432\">White House Correspondents\u2019 Association dinner<\/a> that echoed vulnerabilities she observed during a 2024 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt appears to me that the men and women that are with him, his detail, that are the closest to him \u2026 are very on top of things, very reactionary and very protective,\u201d Zito said on <em>Fox News Live<\/em> on Saturday. \u201cBut it looks like it\u2019s in the details surrounding the perimeters \u2026 that is the problem.\u201d<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/politics\/4552530\/bill-maher-compares-gavin-newsom-to-trump\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Bill Maher compares Gavin Newsom to Trump: \u2018You are imitating him\u2019<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4552457\/democrats-support-graham-platner-because-d-next-name\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Democrats support Graham Platner because there\u2019s a \u2018D\u2019 next to his name: Joe Concha<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/entertainment\/4548985\/amazon-reboot-the-apprentice-trump-jr\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Amazon mulling reboot of The Apprentice with Trump Jr. as possible host: Report<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>Zito, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/opinion\/columnists\/3081272\/eyewitness-account-of-trump-assassination-attempt\/\">who was present at the Butler rally<\/a>, described how agents quickly surrounded Trump and shielded him during the shooting.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>\u201cThey were taking him off. They were protecting him with their bodies \u2026 they surrounded him,\u201d she said, adding that the response mirrored what she observed in the latest incident.<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 100%; max-width: 640px; max-height: 360px; min-width: 320px; min-height: 180px; overflow: hidden;\">\n<div style=\"position: relative; width: 100%; padding-top: 56.25%;\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/share.grabien.com\/share?id=3508930&#038;userid=11311&#038;usertype=user&#038;loginid=9421&#038;playercolor=%23000000&#038;playersize=auto&#038;code=44c1a82607f420fd9fdf9a8abaeb5b6f\" style=\"position: absolute; top: 0px; left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 100%; border: 0px;\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>She also recounted her <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/why-this-average-american-is-voting-for-donald-trump\/\" title=\"Why This Average American Is Voting for ...\">personal experience<\/a> during the Butler shooting, saying she continued reporting until a campaign aide pulled her to the ground and shielded her until the gunfire stopped.<\/p>\n<p>Zito said her previous interview with Trump at the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/white-house\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"8767\">White House<\/a> shed light on the ongoing tension between security protocols and the president\u2019s preference for public engagement.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe always seems like someone who wants to be out\u2026 almost like a caged lion,\u201d she said, noting that Trump told her the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/secret-service\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1478\">Secret Service<\/a> often warns that being outside is \u201cvery unsafe.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Despite those risks, Zito said Trump has consistently emphasized projecting strength and continuity, even during dangerous moments.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4552789\/pirro-cole-allen-secret-service-agent-shot\/\"><strong>PIRRO SAYS TRUMP DINNER SHOOTING SUSPECT \u2018DEFINITIVELY\u2019 SHOT SECRET SERVICE AGENT<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u201cI am not Donald Trump. I am representing the office of the presidency \u2026 we go on,\u201d she recalled him saying in a conversation following the Butler rally, referring to his decision to continue public appearances.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI know it\u2019s going to be hard to keep him from doing things,\u201d Zito said. \u201cAnd I also know it\u2019s going to be hard to have him put a bulletproof vest on \u2026 because it projects weakness.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Salena Zito: focus Trump\u2019s security on perimeter after attacks<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3970,"featured_media":2598287,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP26120789394841.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[50611,79038,34951,32640,78650],"class_list":["post-2598286","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-national-security-2","tag-perimeter-security","tag-salena-zito","tag-trump-administration","tag-whca-dinner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP26120789394841.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2598286","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3970"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2598286"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2598286\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2598290,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2598286\/revisions\/2598290"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2598287"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2598286"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2598286"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2598286"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}