NBC News: Trump “likely” was target of Washington attack

US President Donald Trump was likely among the intended targets of an attack during an event in Washington, NBC News reports.

US Attorney General Todd Blanche said the gunman intended to target administration officials, a category that may have included the president. However, he stressed that the suspect’s motive is still under investigation.

“We're still investigating a motive, and that's something that will necessarily take a couple of days at least. We believe he was targeting administration officials in this attack, attempted attack, but that's again, quite preliminary,” Blanche said.

He added that the president was “likely” among the potential targets, but cautioned that it was too early to draw definitive conclusions.

The incident has raised questions about security arrangements at the event and how the suspect was able to approach the perimeter while armed.

According to Blanche, investigators are examining reports that the suspect assembled weapons at a hotel but “didn't get very far.” 

"He barely broke the perimeter," he noted. "And by barely, I mean by a few feet."

The investigation also found that the suspect traveled by train from Los Angeles to Chicago, then from Chicago to Washington, before checking into the hotel where the event was taking place.

By Jeyhun Aghazada