Suspect charged with attempted assassination of President Trump at White House Correspondents' dinner
A joint FBI and terrorism task-force is investigating the motives of the 31-year-old Californian who carried firearms and knives into the gala.
Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old man from California, has been charged with attempting to assassinate US President Donald Trump and other high-level officials. Allen breached security at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner held at the Washington Hilton hotel, armed with a semi-automatic handgun, a pump-action shotgun, and three knives. Prosecutors allege he intended to kill administration officials, stating in an email that such targets were prioritised from highest-ranking to lowest.
During the incident on Saturday night, a Secret Service agent was shot in the chest but sustained no serious injuries due to a ballistic vest. Allen was subsequently arrested after being shot by the agent. He faces a potential life sentence if found guilty. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that law enforcement did not fail, noting that hundreds of federal agents were positioned between the gunman and the President.
Allen appeared in court in Washington DC on Monday without entering a plea. He was described as calm and softly spoken, answering questions with "yes, your honour" or "no, your honour". Federal campaign finance records indicate he donated $25 to a Democratic Party political action committee in support of Kamala Harris for president in 2024. The suspect has not been co-operating with investigators, according to law enforcement sources.
The attack has prompted a White House security review as officials question the perimeter and protocols at the event. White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles will convene a meeting to discuss practices for major events. The Washington Hilton, where John Hinckley Jr attempted to assassinate then-President Ronald Reagan 45 years ago, stated it followed security instructions from the Secret Service.
A joint FBI and terrorism task-force is leading the investigation into Allen's motives. Allen travelled from Torrance to Chicago and then to Washington DC, where he checked into the hotel on the eve of the event. He studied at the California Institute of Technology and worshipped at the Pasadena United Reformed Church in the Los Angeles area.
