Suspect detained after breaching Washington dinner attended by President Trump

An armed breach at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner in Washington has forced the immediate evacuation of President Donald Trump and senior administration officials. The incident occurred at the Washington Hilton hotel on 26 April 2026, disrupting the annual gathering of the US press corps and the President.

Security forces detained a suspect, identified as Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old tutor and mechanical engineering graduate from Torrance, California, following the attempt to enter the venue and open fire. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed the incident and the subsequent security response to the breach.

A note recovered from the scene explicitly claims the identity of an assassin and outlines an alleged plan to target government officials in sequence. This self-identification by the suspect has drawn immediate attention to the nature of the threat and the specific targets within the executive branch.

The event has prompted urgent scrutiny of security protocols and a comprehensive review of the venue's safety architecture. Historical context indicates that similar security breaches have occurred at this specific event in the past, necessitating a reassessment of current defensive measures.

The White House Correspondents' Association Dinner, traditionally an annual gathering of the US press corps and the President, descended into chaos as shots were fired. The disturbance required the leadership to be removed from the venue to ensure safety.

While the suspect has been apprehended, the full contents of the note beyond the claim of being an assassin and the intent to target officials are not fully detailed in initial reports. The extent of injuries to the President or other attendees remains unconfirmed in the source material.