White House placed under brief lockdown following nearby reports of gunfire

On Monday, May 4, 2026, the White House was placed under lockdown for approximately 20 minutes following reports of gunfire heard a few blocks away from the residence. Former President Donald Trump was inside the building at the time of the incident. Secret Service agents evacuated journalists from the north lawn to the briefing room as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of staff and officials. The lockdown was lifted shortly after 23:00 Cyprus time. Authorities have not yet released specific details regarding the exact cause or the nature of the gunfire. No injuries to staff or officials were reported during the event. Journalists at the scene confirmed the evacuation protocols were executed immediately following the sounds of shots.