The White House North Lawn was cleared by the Secret Service on Saturday evening following reports of apparent gunshots in the vicinity. The Secret Service confirmed they were aware of the reports and were working to corroborate the information with personnel on the ground.

The incident occurred on the evening of May 23, 2026, prompting a significant security response. The FBI also confirmed their presence on scene, assisting the Secret Service.

In an X post, the Secret Service stated, "We are aware of reports of shots fired near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW and are working to corroborate the information with personnel on the ground. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available."

FBI Director Kash Patel echoed this sentiment in his own X post, saying the agency was on scene and assisting. He added, "We will update the public as we’re able."

Reporters who were present at the White House, including ABC News' Selina Wang who was filming a segment, reported hearing the apparent gunshots and were instructed to sprint into the White House Press Briefing Room for cover. Police vehicles and armed Secret Service agents swarmed the area around the White House.

President Donald Trump was reportedly at the White House at the time, engaged in negotiations for a deal with Iran. The clearing of the North Lawn and the swift response from multiple federal agencies underscore the high-security posture surrounding the executive residence and its immediate surroundings.

Details regarding the source of the shots or any potential injuries have not yet been released. The Secret Service indicated that further information would be provided as it became available, marking the event as a developing story.

The incident prompted the deployment of National Guard members and a visible presence of law enforcement and security personnel cordoning off the area, as seen in images captured by news agencies.