Emergency alert test interrupts White House, Capitol Hill briefings

A blaring alarm interrupted the White House briefing, Capitol Hill pressers and courtroom processes Wednesday, as a nationwide emergency test hit devices. 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued the alert at roughly 2:20 p.m. EDT, setting off sirens on phones and sending a notification about the system test.

“Well, it works,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said when the test interrupted questions at the press briefing. She noted that the test of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System happens at least once every three years. 

The alarms prompted chuckles, and the noise continued throughout the White House press corps working area after the briefing as reporters who turned off their phones to attempt to avoid hearing the noise during the briefing turned them back on.

On Capitol Hill, the interruption sparked jokes and laughter amid a Senate GOP news conference.

“I only respond when there’s an emergency,” quipped Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), according to footage shared online.

The test alert also rang out in the courtroom where former President Trump’s civil fraud trial is ongoing, startling the lawyers and officers in the room.

At least one law enforcement officer appeared to reach for their weapon before the room relaxed with recognition of the scheduled test.

Ella Lee and Alex Gangitano contributed.