Federal charges have been brought against Cole Thomas Allen, a 31-year-old from Torrance, California, for attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump and for two federal firearms violations.
During a recent court hearing, federal prosecutors revealed that Allen arrived in Washington, D.C., equipped with a pump-action shotgun, a handgun, and three knives, intending specifically to carry out an attack at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
“We believe the defendant fired from a shotgun, as stated in the complaint,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Blanche, after a spent shell was found at the scene.
As detailed in the affidavit, Secret Service agents were alerted to “loud gunshots” as Allen approached a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton. An officer, noted in documents as “VG,” was hit in the chest but survived thanks to his bulletproof vest.
In the courtroom, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche remarked that an officer fired five shots at Allen, who managed to return fire but was not struck himself. The investigation is ongoing, with officials probing to confirm all details about the shooter and the incident.
“We want to find out exactly,” Blanche stated.
White House press secretary Caroline Levitt condemned the shooting, attributing the violence to a “left-wing cult of hate” targeted at President Trump, his administration, and his supporters. She accused Democratic-led rhetoric and mainstream media of fueling such aggression.
Officials have asserted that security measures functioned as intended, stressing that potential threats were intercepted before they could reach the banquet hall. However, a meeting is planned this week involving White House chief of staff Susie Wiles and officials from the Secret Service and Homeland Security to evaluate security protocols ahead of several significant upcoming events.
FBI Director Kash Patel commended the Secret Service for their actions, emphasizing that they prevented a major attack from escalating.
Reports indicate that the New York Post has obtained Allen’s manifesto, revealing he was a teacher in California and sent a document to his family shortly before the attack, highlighting Trump as his target.
