Kash Patel, the head of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center, faced intense scrutiny on Monday morning as he was questioned by Fox News anchors about the security lapses at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
The event, attended by Donald Trump and his senior Cabinet officials, was marred by a shooting incident on Saturday night in Washington, DC, where Cole Tomas Allen, 31, was taken into custody after reportedly trying to assault the dinner while carrying a shotgun, a handgun, and knives.
Patel admitted that the 2024 Butler shooting was a 'total failure' but avoided answering questions about whether the FBI was alerted about the suspect's actions before the shooting.
He stated that he is currently engaged in discussions with the White House and federal law enforcement agencies to enhance security for the upcoming dinner and that they are working to be better postured for the next event.
Allen is anticipated to be formally charged in Washington, D.C. on Monday with two counts of using a firearm in the commission of a violent crime and one count of assaulting a federal officer with a dangerous weapon.
