We were under the table before we knew what was happening. One moment, a military band was parading out of the Washington Hilton's cavernous ballroom; hundreds of government officials, diplomats, and journalists, including more than a dozen of us from The Atlantic, dressed in our best or borrowed black tie, had turned to our spring-pea-and-burrata salads. The next moment, armed agents'maybe Secret Service, maybe police, maybe hotel guards; it was hard to tell from where we were huddled under a tablecloth'were pushing their way through mounds of people, climbing over chairs, rushing to the stage, where President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump had shortly before been seated. Trays of plates and tableware fell to the floor with a crash. 'Get down! Get down! Get under the table! 'Abajo! 'Abajo!' we heard security and waitstaff shout. There was at least one popping sound from the north end of the ballroom. People by the doors started to duck. Then plainclothes security rushed in. One...
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