US President Donald Trump was quickly evacuated from the White House briefing room by security after shots were fired outside the building. 

Trump confirmed a shooting after returning to the briefing room.

"There was a shooting outside of the White House and it seems to be very well under control. I'd like to thank the Secret Service for doing their always quick and very effective work," Trump said when he returned.

Trump had been midsentence during the first attempt at a briefing when security came into the room and asked him to leave.

"Excuse me?" Trump asked when the security approached.

"Step outside," the agent said.

"Oh," Trump said before departing the room.

When Trump returned to the briefing room, he said he has been taken to the Oval Office when he was evacuated.

"I feel very safe with the Secret Service. They're fantastic people. They're the best of the best. They're highly trained," Trump told reporters when he returned. "They just wanted me to step aside for a little while just to make sure that everything was clear outside."

The Secret Service confirmed on Twitter that an investigation of the shooting is "ongoing" but "at no time during this incident was the White House complex breached or were any protectees in danger".

A senior administration official said that there was an active shooter near the White House and that the shooter is in custody.