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President Trump, White House Correspondents' Dinner Rocked By Assassination Attempt; Iran Reopens Negotiations Concerning War And Strait of Hormuz. Royal Family To Still Visit D.C. Despite Saturday's Attack. Aired 11p-12a ET

Aired April 26, 2026 - 23:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[23:00:00]

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ANNOUNCER: This is CNN Breaking News.

ELEX MICHAELSON, CNN HOST: You are watching breaking news on CNN. Hello, and welcome to our viewers here in the United States and around the world. I'm Elex Michaelson reporting live from Washington D.C. tonight. Authorities are now reviewing the writings of the man who tried to storm the White House Correspondents' Dinner here in Washington.

In a note, suspect Cole Tomas Allen said, quote, I don't expect forgiveness. The 31-year-old seen here after being taken down by the Secret Service is from California where he works as a part time teacher. You see there, authorities stripped him of his clothes to search for wounds and weapons. Certainly found weapons. The suspect allegedly sent a note to family members right before the attack expressing political anger and plans to target members of the administration. The administration calls it a manifesto.

This moment was quite something. The President, Vice President, other top officials rushed to safety at Saturday night's event. But the whole incident is now raising questions about the security protocols that were in place at that ballroom. I was there. It was something that a lot of people were talking about.

President Trump was asked about that in an interview with CBS's 60 Minutes. Norah O'Donnell talking to him tonight.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NORAH O'DONNELL, CBS NEWS ANCHOR: Other thing in the manifesto that I think is worth looking at in terms of determining his motive. He had been staying at the hotel since Friday. He checked in, he said he had cased the place. And he wrote, What the hell is the Secret Service doing? And he wrote this, quote, I expected security cameras at every bend, bugged hotel rooms, armed agents every 10 feet, metal detectors out the wazoo. What I got is nothing. He wrote, Like, this level of incompetence is insane.

Sir, you have already had two attempted -- DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: Well, he was pretty incompetent, too, because he got caught and he got caught pretty easily. So I'd say he was pretty incompetent, too. You know, I could take any event having to do with security or anything else. I can always find fault. Those guys did a good job last night. They did a really good job.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MICHAELSON: So one day after that attack in Washington, FBI agents spent Sunday going door to door in the suspect's neighborhood in Southern California, Torrance, California, just outside Los Angeles. CNN's Kyung Lah is there and has details of what they've been working on.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KYUNG LAH, CNN SENIOR INVESTIGATIVE CORRESPONDENT: As authorities are trying to figure out the timeline of how 31 year old Cole Allen made it from Torrance to Washington D.C., we're seeing here on the ground agents go door to door. There were a couple of agents talking to neighbors, throughout the day at different points of the day. And we overheard them say that they were looking for Ring cameras -- Ring camera.

That would suggest that they are trying to put together a timeline of his activity and his behavior in the days leading up to this attempted shooting. Let's tell you a little bit about 31 year old Cole Allen. He is someone who in his early years appeared to be on his way. Went to a very challenging and elite academy, Caltech, very difficult to get into. He got a degree in engineering, then got his master's degree at another university. And from there he was teacher of the month in December 2024 at his part time job at a tutoring academy.

But authorities say what was happening during this time is something was occurring with weapons. On October 2023 he purchased a handgun, and then two years later he purchased this shotgun. This shotgun and the handgun would travel with him by rail from Torrance, California to Washington D.C. We understand that those weapons were stored here in the parents' home, but the parents did not have any idea that this was happening or that the weapons were here. These are weapons that were purchased legally. He is facing some serious charges when he will be arraigned at 9 a.m. Eastern on Monday, using a firearm during a crime of violence as well as assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon.

As far as his mindset, the manifesto certainly is giving a window into political anger, specifically at the Trump administration.

[23:05:00]

His sister talking to her authorities, her local law enforcement said that he had increasingly become involved in left wing activity, left wing groups here in Los Angeles, and that she did -- he did use those weapons at a local firing range.

Kyung Lah, CNN, Torrance, California. (END VIDEOTAPE)

MICHAELSON: Kyung Lah, thank you.

Let's bring in Juliette Kayyem, our CNN senior U.S. national security analyst. She's also former Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Juliette, thank you for being with us. Long day. Long night. Long, I don't even know what time it is, but it's good to have you with us. Talk to us about this manifesto, which seems to have so much information in it. What stands out to you?

JULIETTE KAYYEM, CNN SENIOR NATIONAL SECURITY ANALYST: I mean, it gives us a motive. I don't think we have to be shy about it. He clearly wanted to attack the President. This was a political assassination. He wanted to be -- He was critical of the president and -- and the president's policies or the people surrounding the president. He gets across country heavily armed with both guns and knives, checks into a hotel where everyone knew the event was taking place, and gets relatively close to the event.

And so, you know, in this instance, the manifesto is just -- is just making it clear sort of what was animating him in terms of the target. What we don't know from the manifesto is how did this radicalization process take place? He doesn't have a criminal record. His sister says that it was relatively recent that he got involved with, at least according to her, left wing organizations. Nor does it tell us who else may have been involved with that radicalization or in fact the execution of what he tried to do on Saturday night. That will be -- Both of those will also be lines of inquiry.

MICHAELSON: Because that's got to be so key for Homeland Security. This idea, is he a lone wolf or was he part of some sort of other group, which could have more of a threat out there, right? KAYYEM: That's right. And -- And right now the FBI and even the President have been saying that he's a lone wolf in the sense that they don't see him having any nexus to any other individuals that may have helped him with this particular attack.

But in the last couple years, I've even stopped saying lone wolf to sort of describe the phenomenon we are in. And that is one in which violence is an extension of our political differences. We hear language of violence or annihilation from the very top, from the White House to, you know, if you -- the depths of Twitter and social media and a lot, and all of it in between.

It's that -- It's that sort of permission structure that we have unleashed in this society that -- that makes, you know, sort of none of these really truly lone wolf incidents because they are part of an environment that is normalizing political violence. We sort of, you know, I don't want to say we view it as normal. It's still disruptive and horrible, in particular when targeting any president of the United States. But nonetheless, it has become too familiar for us day in and day out.

MICHAELSON: Because we're in a situation where, frankly, both parties on the extremes talk about the other party as an existential threat to the country. And so then folks see it as a moral obligation to go out and eliminate an existential threat to the country and turn themselves into martyrs. And that is a very, very dangerous situation. So from a security perspective, how do you operate in that environment? How do you put that genie back in the bottle, cool down the temperature? I mean, what can be done?

KAYYEM: I'll be totally clear here that it's from the top. I mean, I know that we are talking about a time in which this president has -- has been attacked three times. That is terrifying. It is also a president that uses language of violence or -- or, you know, the enemy is -- is not American. Right?

Whether it's Democrats or -- or immigrants, we have to look at the permissive structure at the top that is then animating everything down. So, when you say both sides, it's true that language is used across all of the political spectrum. And we've seen targets from the president to -- to, you know, state reps in -- in Midwestern states.

MICHAELSON: Charlie Kirk, obviously.

KAYYEM: This is -- And none of it is -- Yeah, exactly.

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Yeah, none of it is tolerable. And that lack of tolerance, that ending the permission structure has to begin at the top and permeate not just a presidency or Congress or -- or the president's political opponents, the media, the chattering classes like myself, people on -- on -- you know, on social media.

Until we begin to shame that kind of language, it -- that genie, it's very hard to get back in the bottle. I will say, historically, when we've had moments like this, nothing quite like this but say 1968 or the -- or the -- or the left wing terror of the 1970s, it was basically exhaustion that sort of ended it, that the American public became sort of -- just wanted that -- that -- that kind of violence to end and -- and started to elect people that -- that -- that reflected that desire. So, that is where we are now, and that's the genie that we have to get back in the bottle.

MICHAELSON: And you wonder also about the responsibility for the social media companies in terms of adjusting their algorithms and maybe is there a regulation or some sort of way to work with them, so that some of this is not incentivized because that is where so many people are getting their news and getting this information right now. Juliette Kayyem, always wise and helpful and really appreciate you, especially in a moment like this. Thank you so much.

KAYYEM: Thank you.

MICHAELSON: Let's talk a little bit more about the security and the security protocol at the White House Correspondents' Dinner is now being criticized in the aftermath of what happened. Congressman Mike Lawler, who attended the event, posted his thoughts online. While he praised Secret Service and federal law enforcement, he raised issue with multiple areas that he views as weak points in what happened. Congressman Lawler joins me right now live.

Congressman, good to see you.

Full transparency, you were sitting at the CNN table like two feet away from me when this whole thing happened. So we experienced this whole thing together. First, sort of talk to us about your experience and what it felt like to be in that room.

REP. MIKE LAWLER (R-NY): Well, thanks for having me, Elex. You know, we were about to have dinner, and all of a sudden I heard a pop. And then a number of plates, you know, hit the floor. And then, of course, the rush from the Secret Service and federal agents in tactical and SWAT gear. And you know, they obviously moved the President and the Vice President very quickly. The cabinet members were secured, the Speaker of the House was secured.

But you know, we were left there. My wife was at the dinner with me. Obviously, there was a lot of chaos and confusion in the moment, because frankly, we didn't know if the gunman was in the room. I think the fact is it was very unclear what had happened. And you know, obviously people were surveying the room. Members of the press were doing their job and trying to cover it in real time. But it was -- it was obviously rather unnerving when you're not really sure where the gun -- the gunshots came from and if anybody had been -- been hurt.

MICHAELSON: And we have this very strange situation where we're underground. There's very bad Wi-Fi, bad cell signals, and you've got most of the people who are sort of responsible for informing the country about what's happening, all with almost no access to information. The doors are locked so we can't get out.

And there's nobody on the stage for a long time expressing what happened. And there was so much confusion. And that often breeds fear as well. You say there needs to be changes when it comes to security for an

event like that. What do you want to see differently going forward?

LAWLER: Well, especially with the President there, but you also had, you know, nearly the entire line of succession was in the room. And the fact is you did not need an ID to get in the building. There was no list to verify that somebody in fact was supposed to be in the room. Nobody was really evaluating the tickets. When they would ask for them, you just kind of showed them and they go, Okay, keep going. And there were no magnetometers until you got to the ballroom.

And so there were numerous pre dinner receptions. You know, each media outlet had their own reception going on, which, you know, yeah, there was some security, but nothing that frankly would have prevented a shooter from taking action. And I just think the fact that you had the President there, especially after two assassination attempts, now a third, the fact is that security needs to be way more heightened. Like White House protocol, you need to have ID, you need to be pre approved to get in. And I think that should have been the case here.

[23:15:00] I think the Secret Service was able to detain the shooter rather quickly, and obviously did their job to get the President, the Vice President, and the cabinet secretaries out of harm's way. But it shouldn't have come to that. This should have been prevented from the start. The fact that he was able to get from the 10th floor down a stairwell into the area that was, you know, supposed to be secure, really raises a lot of questions about the entirety of the security apparatus at this event.

MICHAELSON: And it was remarkable because here in Washington this weekend, there were so many other events in other parts of town that different organizations were throwing ahead of this, and almost all of them had more security than the event with the president. In terms of you had to show ID, you were wanted, your name is on a list, you know, there's -- there's separation between the event and coming in. And -- And many of those things were not in place, which was pretty remarkable to me going into the event.

Meanwhile, another thing you talked about this morning with Manu Raju on Inside Politics when we were both on that show earlier today is this idea of what does this whole thing tell us about Homeland Security itself? We're in a situation where the Homeland Security Department has not been funded for much of the year. There's a question in terms of what happens now with Congress. Do you think that this changes the debate in Congress at all? And sort of what should we expect this week on that front?

LAWLER: Look, I really implore my two fellow New Yorkers, Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jefferies, to put politics aside in this moment. We are in the middle of a war. We have had another assassination attempt on the president. You have both the Coast Guard, Secret Service, FEMA and TSA, as well as obviously ICE and CBP, that are not being paid, that are not being funded. This is insane. And while I understand there are some real differences in policy, you duke that out at the ballot box. You don't hold an entire department hostage trying to exact changes.

And while I think it's important for both parties to negotiate things in good faith, the fact is this department has been shut down for 115 days since October 1 of last year, the beginning of the fiscal year. That is unconscionable. It is wrong. And I don't care what political differences we have. These civil servants deserve to be paid. You had a Secret Service agent shot at point blank range in the chest yesterday. Thank God he was wearing a bulletproof vest.

But this is absolutely wrong. And I think it is time for both parties to say to the extremes, enough. We have a responsibility to govern. We can duke it out at the ballot box, whatever the disagreements are, but we cannot shut an entire agency down and not pay our civil servants. So, I think it is time for Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries to finally say, enough. We're going to pass the bill.

MICHAELSON: But as you know, Democrats and Republicans in the Senate unanimously passed a measure that would have allowed for the funding of most of this. And there was a bipartisan deal, and House Republicans said no to that. So why not accept that deal? LAWLER: House Republicans have voted every single time to fully fund the Department of Homeland Security. Five times. And Democrats have refused to go along with that. You can't pick and choose who you want to fund or not fund. The fact is, ICE and CBP have a job to do to prevent illegal immigration, to prevent criminal aliens from remaining in this country. If you don't fund it, that will create its own crisis.

One of my constituents, Sheridan Gorman, was just killed by an illegal immigrant. If you want to abolish ICE, that is going to create chaos in our country. And Republicans are not going to go along with that. So, from -- from the standpoint of what we have to do, we have to fully fund the Department of Homeland Security. You cannot pick and choose which aspect of that you fund. Doesn't work.

MICHAELSON: And of course, now there's an effort for Republicans to use a reconciliation process to potentially do all of that without Democratic support. Maybe it would do it on an (ph) own (ph), and we may see action on that this week. We will see. It's going to be a busy week on Capitol Hill, and the King is coming to -- to meet with all of you as well. King Charles. So, Mike Lawler, thank you so much.

[23:20:00]

It was great to see you last night. A night that both of us will -- will never forget. Appreciate you coming on tonight as well.

LAWLER: Thanks, Elex.

MICHAELSON: Still to come, we are joined by two guests who also attended the White House Correspondents' Dinner to get their reactions to the incident. Their photo was on the front page of the Washington Post and used all around the world. We'll talk to them about that moment next.

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MICHAELSON: Gunfire outside the Washington Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday is raising concerns of the event's security protocols. Look at this picture here. This picture was on the front page of the Washington Post today. It's from Getty Images. You can see officials and guests alike hiding beneath tables as that incident unfolded on Saturday.

Featured at the bottom of this photo, you can see the president of Strauss Media Strategies, Richard Strauss, looking directly at the camera. Also nearby is Washington D.C.'s shadow senator, Paul Strauss. Both men are joining us live here in Washington to share some firsthand insight into what exactly happening. Both last names Strauss, somehow not related, which is also interesting.

Richard and Paul Strauss, thank you so much for being here. We appreciate it. Richard, let's start with you. And as we look at that photo, we literally can see into your eyes. What's going through your mind. RICHARD STRAUSS, PRESIDENT, STRAUSS MEDIA STRATEGIES: Well, first of all, Elex, thank you for having me. And thank you for the work that you do and for all the work that journalists do. It was a surreal moment. Super scary, just unnerving. It was just so surreal. We were pushed to the ground, and somehow I must have decided to look up just to see if I could see anything that was going on. And it was at that moment that photographer Nathan Howard took that amazing photo.

And to -- to his credit, and to all the photojournalists throughout the country that were there that night, including yourself, it was just a surreal, very scary moment. I was thinking as I was laying on the ground, and we had just went to speak with Congressman Raskin, and I was thinking about my son and the rest of my family, my brothers, my mom. And we were unnerved and didn't know what was happening.

It was quite -- quite a moment, something I've -- I've never seen. And I've been going to these dinners for some 30 years, dating back to my own days in the Clinton White House. And you know, through the years with my own media relations firm, I've continued to go to the dinners. I've never seen anything like that. And it was a moment that I hope to never experience again.

MICHAELSON: Congressman Jamie Raskin, who represents Maryland, was there with you guys on the floor. Also, Rory Kennedy was nearby as well, the daughter of Bobby Kennedy. All of that happening. And you, Paul Strauss, you're the shadow senator.

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For people that may not know what that means is Washington D.C. does not have a senator, but still elects a senator to sort of act as a representation and an advocate for the region. Obviously this is a, senator, one of the -- the biggest, most dramatic events of the year, every year. What's going through your mind on that ground?

PAUL STRAUSS, WASHINGTON DC SHADOW SENATOR: Well, I was very worried, not just with what was happening, but that picture was going out and essentially going viral. My family was watching live the dinner, and it looks kind of like I've been hurt in it. It looks almost like Jackie Kucinich is performing CPR. I didn't have my cell phone with me because we left him on the table.

And so I was very worried, not just what was happening in the room, but what people might have thought. As I finally got my phone and I saw the reaction to it, I really was struggling to let people know I was okay. I got a text from my young daughter who had been in active shooter drills and was giving me instructions on what to do. So, you felt bad for putting your loved ones through that kind of stress and pain, and of course you're worried for the people in the room and the impact that this would have.

MICHAELSON: Talk to us, senator, about what this night means to Washington symbolically and sort of where should the city go from here? And do you think it's possible to do what President Trump is asking for, which is to redo this event within 30 days? P. STRAUSS: I hope we can. Look, the ballroom was secured. Unfortunately the hotel wasn't, and there was a real two tiered level of security. So, I'm grateful for the work that Secret Service and law enforcement did. There were no fatalities, but we can do better. We should do better. I'd like to see it go on if we can. 30 days may be too ambitious, but this is an important event. One, it's important to the economy. It fills hotels, it fills restaurants, but more importantly, it brings people together to discuss important issues.

And so we try and promote D.C. statehood. But earlier I was with the Creative Coalition that was advocating for arts funding. We celebrate the First Amendment, and it brings together people from the entertainment industry, issues, journalists, advocates. So, it's important to the city. It's something that we celebrate because it's not just about parties. It's about the most important amendment to our Constitution and the values we hold dear.

So, I want to find a way to keep it going. I expect that we can. But this was certainly a scary and horrific moment that I hope we will be able to get past and heal from and come together again.

MICHAELSON: And Richard, last word to you. Sort of where do we go from here?

R. STRAUSS: I agree. I think we need to continue to celebrate and honor the First Amendment and journalists, and I don't think that we should be deterred from that. I think we should continue with this tradition that has gone on for some time now, and I hope that we can continue it. Obviously, we need to look at the security measures that are in place and make sure that everyone is safe and secure.

But I hope that we can continue this treasured tradition alive for a very, very long time to come. And I think we will. And I think we will figure out a way. And I'm just very grateful that everyone was safe and that no one was hurt or killed and just so relieved to have woken up this morning.

MICHAELSON: Likewise. Richard Strauss, Senator Paul Strauss, thank you both for coming in. We appreciate your perspective, and it's been great to get to know you both this weekend here in Washington. We'll be right back with more here on CNN.

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MICHAELSON: Investigators are looking into the writings in the home of the man accused of opening fire outside the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday. CNN's Brian Todd walks us through the events of the night, minute by minute.

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BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Chaotic scenes at this year's White House Correspondents' Dinner as U.S. President Donald Trump was rushed offstage after shots were fired in the hotel where the event was taking place. Trump and the cabinet members who attended are all safe and the suspect is in custody. Here's what we know about how the incident unfolded. By 8 p.m., the ballroom at the Washington Hilton Hotel was full of guests awaiting the night's festivities.

Sixteen minutes later, the U.S. President and First Lady took to the stage. So far, so normal. At 8:34 p.m., Trump is seen conversing with American mentalist Oz Pearlman, who appears to be showing him a magic trick. And here's where the night takes an unexpected turn.

Outside that room at the security perimeter, a man is caught on video charging through a Secret Service checkpoint. In the footage, which was later posted to the President's Truth Social account, Secret Service members can be seen drawing their weapons and pointing them off screen in the direction of the assailant.

WOLF BLITZER, CO-ANCHOR, CNN THE SITUATION ROOM: Just maybe three, four or five feet away from me, there's a gunshot, a whole bunch of gunshots and someone firing.

TODD: Back at the dinner, as President Trump makes conversation, a loud noise is heard in the background, followed by what sounds like several gunshots. A look of shock clearly passes over First Lady Melania Trump's face.

[23:35:00]

Eleven seconds after the first noise was heard, security services personnel surround the President. On the other end of the stage, security reach Vice President J.D. Vance, who had been seated close to the end and immediately rush him away. Seconds later, the Secret Service continues to encircle the president and takes him off stage.

(UNKNOWN): (inaudible) Is he on the stage still?

(UNKNOWN): Hey, where are we at?

TODD: In the moments that follow, members of Trump's cabinet, including Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson, are seen being escorted through the hotel to safety. Back inside the ballroom, the shocked guests sheltered at their

tables. CNN's Sara Sidner filming this as she did so.

SARA SIDNER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: There was a loud noise. There was a very loud bang. We're not sure what it is.

TODD: Attendees, including CNN's Manu Raju and Brian Stelter, trying to make out what had happened.

MANU RAJU, HOST, CNN INSIDE POLITICS: It's unmistakable. It sounded like gunshots that we heard. TODD: The shooter was stopped on the floor above the ballroom at 8:52 p.m. This video was filmed by eyewitness Bill Frischling showing the suspect lying face down on the ground, shirtless and in handcuffs. Sources tell CNN he has been identified as a 31 year old male from California. It's believed he was working alone. Almost an hour later, a motorcade believed to be carrying President

Trump departed the Washington Hilton. Still later, upon returning to the White House, the President held a press conference praising law enforcement and calling the presidency a, quote, dangerous profession. TRUMP: It comes with the territory, and if you want to do a great job, I really believe that.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MICHAELSON: Thanks to Brian Todd for that. For more now, I want to bring in Emma Brown, who is the executive director of GIFFORDS & GIFFORDS Law Center. Welcome. Of course, we think about Gabby Giffords and what happened with her as well. What is your sort of big takeaway from this whole experience?

EMMA BROWN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GIFFORDS & GIFFORDS LAW CENTER: Yeah, well, thanks so much for having me. I would start by saying that obviously what we saw last night was a terrifying and unacceptable display of political violence. And I think it is important to step back and recognize that the terror that was felt in the room that has been described, you know, on this show tonight is being felt by Americans across the country every day.

You know, we are losing 50,000 people a year in this nation to gun violence. It has become the leading cause of death for kids in this country. One in five Americans has reported being threatened by a firearm or knowing someone who was shot. That's one in two for Black Americans. And so while we are having a really important conversation about how this happened last night, it's also important to recognize that this is -- this is happening across the country.

You know, a week ago, we saw eight kids killed in Shreveport, Louisiana. It got a fraction of the attention. And we understand that firearm violence is often the product of extreme rhetoric. Right? Heated temperatures, but also very easy access to firearms.

MICHAELSON: What do you think could have been done to prevent something like this?

BROWN: Yeah, well, I think we're still learning the details of how this individual ended up here. Right? How he got in that -- in that hotel in the first place. We understand that he drove or he trained, you know, all the way from California to D.C. with intent to harm. So we will understand more, I think, about what specific reforms could have stopped this from happening.

But I think what we understand is even if these guns were purchased legally, that indicates that there is something wrong with our laws. In states where we have very strong gun laws, we see far fewer fatalities, we see far fewer shootings. But part of our challenge is that we have very weak federal laws, which allows for porous, you know, incidents of violence where people can transport firearms across the country that they might not be able to use or carry in other states and be able to carry out acts of violence.

MICHAELSON: You know, I remember reporting in Arizona when Gabby Giffords was shot at and just how scary that incident was. And we have seen sort of an escalation even since then with, not only President Trump being targeted, but Charlie Kirk being targeted, others as well. What do you think's going on? And how do we -- how do we address this as a -- as a society?

BROWN: Yeah, it's the right question to be asking. You know, I think we have seen a terrifying escalation in political violence over the last couple of years, targeting both Democrats and Republicans. And I think that's really important to acknowledge. Obviously, our founder, Gabby Giffords, was shot, nearly assassinated 15 years ago in 2011.

[23:40:00]

And I think what we understand about political violence is that it sits at this very dangerous intersection of extreme partisanship, high temperatures. Right? And easy access to firearms. So, it is not enough for someone to just be elevated and inflamed. They also need to have access to a weapon to be able to carry out something like what we saw last night.

And so when we're thinking about political violence, we're thinking about what we saw, you know, back in 2011 and today, we need to interrogate both. How are our elected officials de escalating the rhetoric, but also how are we arming people who are reaching this point of crisis, who are reaching, you know, this peak of intensity that they are charging a ballroom and trying to attack our leaders.

MICHAELSON: Yeah, and he also had knives on him as well. But obviously you can do way more damage with a gun. And the whole situation is so unfortunate. Emma Brown, thank you for your work, to try to stop stuff like this. We really appreciate it.

Coming up, a royal visit to Washington will go on as scheduled, despite the shooting in Washington on Saturday. Still ahead, what is planned for the British monarch's four day trip to the U.S. This is something that's going to be a big part of the headlines over the next week here in America.

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[23:45:00]

MICHAELSON: We're hearing new information out of the Middle East. Iran has reportedly submitted a new proposal to the U.S. to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with nuclear negotiations postponed for later. Now, all this is according to Axios' Barak Ravid, citing a U.S. official and two sources with knowledge of the situation.

Meanwhile, Iranian state media reports that Tehran's top diplomat has arrived in Russia and is set to meet with President Vladimir Putin. According to Tehran, the upcoming meeting will focus on advancing joint programs at the regional and international levels. The plans for another round of potential face to face talks between Washington and Tehran still not clear. Here's what President Trump had to say about future negotiations.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TRUMP: I said we're not doing this anymore. We have all the cards. If they want to talk, they can come to us or they can call us. You know, there is a telephone. We have nice secure lines, although I'm not sure any telephone line is secure, frankly. But we have secure lines, and if they want, we can talk.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MICHAELSON: CNN's Ivan Watson is following all this live from Hong Cong with the latest. Ivan, good to see you. What is the state of the U.S.-Iran negotiations, and what's going on right now with the Strait of Hormuz?

IVAN WATSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Right. Well, they seem to have stalled diplomacy. You had the Iranian foreign minister travel to Pakistan this weekend and President Trump pulled the plug on sending U.S. envoys there, saying it just wasn't worth it right now and arguing that the U.S. has all the cards right now, as he put it, but also indicating that this does not mean that there will be a resumption of the kinetic part of the war, the -- the hostilities.

So, Iran's top diplomat was left after meeting with the Pakistani Prime Minister to travel to Oman to meet with leadership there, even though Iran repeatedly targeted Oman during the active part of the fighting. And he's just landed in St. Petersburg, Russia, where he's expected to be meeting soon with the Russian president, Vladimir Putin. The U.S. Navy says it has turned around at least 38 ships as part of its blockade of Iranian ports.

The Iranian president has said that they're never going to be able to solve problems between the U.S. and Iran as long as this blockade is in force. He's also told Iranians to conserve electricity and try to hold back on -- on -- on turning on lights, for example. Light two lights in your apartment instead of 10, he put it. But we're also hearing some tough rhetoric coming from Iran. And look at this.

The deputy parliament speaker, Ali Nikzad, said this: We will under no circumstances circumstances return the Strait of Hormuz to its previous state. This is an order from the leader of the revolution. He's invoking much to Bahomei (ph), the son of the former supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, who was killed in the first day of the U.S.- Israeli attack on Iran.

He goes on to say that, quote, One of the divine blessings of the war that we realized if we place our foot on the throat of the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb Strait, 25% of the world's economy should be affected. So defending what is driving up energy prices all around the world. And if you need another sign of the saber rattling from Iran, look at this parade in the northern city of Tabriz. Iran displaying the Shahed drones of which Iran fired thousands of them at Gulf countries and Israel throughout, again, the active part of the fighting.

But despite this saber rattling, Elex, it does look that for now both adversaries, Iran and the U.S., are focusing on doing economic harm to each other with their blockades of this vital shipping way, shipping route, the Strait of Hormuz.

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Long story short, don't expect any of those energy prices to go down anytime soon as long as these two enemies are blockading each other.

MICHAELSON: It's pretty remarkable to see that parade through the middle of the street, literally showing off weapons and people holding up the Iranian flag to celebrate that. Ivan Watson live in Hong Kong. We'll talk to you next hour with more information. In the meantime, another big story this week. King Charles III and Queen Camilla will visit right here in Washington tomorrow despite last night's shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.

Buckingham Palace said the decision follows advice after security discussions between American and British officials. The royal couple's visit will celebrate the 250th anniversary of America leaving the royal family. The King is expected to meet privately with President Trump. Later, King Charles scheduled to address Congress. Big deal there. Joint session of Congress, and attend a state dinner. He's getting all of the bells and whistles this week. CNN's Max Foster, who covers the royals, is here in Washington this week and has more.

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TRUMP: UK has been very, very uncooperative.

MAX FOSTER, CNN ROYAL CORRESPONDENT: The UK-U.S. special relationship isn't feeling that special right now.

TRUMP: The UK, which we sort of considered the Rolls Royce of allies, right, wouldn't you say?

FOSTER: Terse words from the U.S. president aimed at the British government, its military.

TRUMP: I said, you have two old, broken down aircraft carriers. You think you could send them over? Oh, I'll have to ask my team.

FOSTER: And especially the Prime Minister.

TRUMP: You know, unfortunately, Keir is not Winston Churchill.

FOSTER: In contrast to the warm words for the King.

TRUMP: In fact, the King is coming over here in two weeks. He's a nice guy, King Charles. FOSTER: What's mainly in the King's favor is that Trump has an affinity with the UK and the royals, something the UK government seems ready to leverage to emphasize historic links between traditional allies. Having met Trump several times on the President's trips to the UK, the King knows how careful words and thoughtful actions can diffuse wider tensions. In 2025, Charles presented the President with a bespoke copy of the Declaration of Independence.

(UNKNOWN): The Princess on American soil for the first time receives (ph) --

FOSTER: While Elizabeth II enjoyed largely smooth relations during her seven visits as Queen to the United States, welcomed by presidents from Eisenhower to Bush, Charles is stepping into a far more complicated landscape. Charles has been playing the diplomatic game for decades now, and what he really takes to Washington is the monarchy's greatest diplomatic asset, soft power. CNN understands he'll reach out directly to the American people, showing a special relationship transcends any single occupant of the White House.

PETER WESTMACOTT, FORMER BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED STATES: The King will not be having the kind of conversation with the President or with senior senators and so on that the Prime Minister would. But he's extremely well informed, and it provides an opportunity for private conversations on some really important issues.

And on top of that, there is the celebration of the relationship between the two countries. Great deal of trade, of investment, a defense relationship which is extraordinarily important. Intelligence, which is the cooperation second to none.

FOSTER: The King knows that the greatest rupture between the U.S. and UK happened 250 years ago when America walked away from British rule. Now he'll be determined to show the world by making sure he meets a cross section of American society that the relationship goes far deeper than the current dip in government relations.

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Elex, the state visit was effectively put on hold after the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner whilst both sides reassessed. And it was a process where the King was keen for it to carry on, as was President Trump, and then the two governments had to support those views as well. Ultimately it was down to the security teams on both sides to feel comfortable with this. If either of them weren't comfortable with it, it would have been called off.

But clearly they've gone through a long process to assess the security situation, and on balance they're comfortable with it to go -- to go ahead. There may be some tweaks to the schedule. I don't think that will be obvious to most people. Broadly speaking, this four day visit will carry on as planned. The key moment being a speech to both parts of Congress from the King.

All we know so far really about that is the King will address the challenges both countries face, but it's really an address to the American people, talking to the historic links between the two countries and showing that despite the current dip in political relations between the two countries, broadly speaking, the relationship has only improved since the War of Independence 250 years ago.

There will also be a visit to New York, where the King will meet the families of survivors from 9/11. For example, go to a community in Harlem. We'll wait to see whether or not there'll be further lockdown because of security concerns. [23:55:00]

But at the moment, it seems as though the King is still keen to the -- meet as many regular people, regular Americans as possible. And then on to Virginia, where he'll meet many more people as well. Also meet indigenous communities and talk about the sensitive issue of land rights. And also to address some of the King's interest in the environment as well. That'll be reflected in Virginia.

But a packed few days and will be pretty high profile, obviously. But it's very organized, very orchestrated, so you never know what might happen. But at the moment, it looks as though everything's pretty well looked in. And with these extra security arrangements as well, there won't be the sort of flexibility you might see on other royal tolls (ph).

Elex.

MICHAELSON: Max Foster for us live here in Washington. Max, thank you. And thank you for watching this hour. I'll be back at the top of the hour with more of our breaking news coverage.

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