Good morning and welcome to face the nation. I'm Margaret Brennan. Washington is waking up to what still feels to those of us who are in attendance, or even those watching on live television, to be an unreal experience.

But it's an experience that's becoming more and more common in these times of political turmoil.

Last night at the annual White House Correspondents Association dinner,

shots rang out as President Trump and his cabinet,

members of Congress, and hundreds of journalists attended the annual event

honoring the First Amendment, freedom of the press.

Secret Service agents quickly tackled the alleged shooter outside the ballroom following a brief exchange of gunfire.

A secret service agent was hit during the attack, but protected from serious injury by his bulletproof best.

The president praised the quick actions of law enforcement that prevented the assailant from entering the ballroom,

a breach which could have led to a more tragic

outcome. We've got a lot to get to, including an interview with acting attorney general

Todd Blanche, but we begin with a report from senior White House and political correspondent at O'Keefe.

Attending the dinner for the first time as commander-in-chief,

President Trump took his place at the front of the room.

And we're going to get started now, so enjoy your dinner, and we'll be back. Thank you.

Eleven minutes later, as guests settled into their meals, mentalist Ose Perlman, a scheduled entertainer,

was showing the president and first lady a trick.

Then...

In the back of the room, plates crashed as attendees dove to the floor and under tables.

Some could smell gunpowder.

In 10 seconds, the Secret Service surrounded and whisked out the first couple.

They nearly lifted the vice president out of the room.

...