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Suspect Charged in Attempted Assassination of Trump at Correspondents' Dinner
Federal prosecutors charged Cole Allen with attempting to assassinate President Trump after he allegedly tried to storm the White House Correspondents' Dinner armed with multiple weapons. The incident has sparked security reviews and political accusations of inflammatory rhetoric. Allen faces potential life imprisonment, with a manifesto citing his motives.
The GuardianAudio version
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Federal authorities charged 31-year-old Cole Allen with attempted assassination of President Trump, discharging a firearm during a violent crime, and transporting a weapon across state lines with intent to commit a felony. The charges, unsealed by the Department of Justice, stem from an incident at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday, where Allen allegedly rushed the venue armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and three knives.
He fired at least one shot, injuring a Secret Service agent who has since been released from the hospital. He appeared in federal court on Monday in a blue jail jumpsuit, represented by lawyers from the federal defender's office. A detention hearing is scheduled for Thursday, and prosecutors indicated additional charges may follow.
Investigators recovered a manifesto from Allen, in which he expressed intent to target Trump and other senior administration officials. ” Federal authorities are examining Allen's online activity, including possible posts on Bluesky under the username “coldforce,” which promoted liberal views.
A Post analysis of visuals showed Allen sprinted 60 feet and reached a staircase to the ballroom after racing through a magnetometer. He was tackled by law enforcement officers before entering the room, which contained President Trump, first lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and other high-ranking officials.
No one inside the ballroom was harmed.
The incident raised questions about security protocols at the event. Allen's manifesto reportedly mocked what he called an “insane” lack of security. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Trump retains trust in the Secret Service but stated that changes to protective arrangements are not out of the question.
White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles is convening senior officials from the Department of Homeland Security, the Secret Service, and the West Wing to review security measures in the coming days. Leavitt noted that the president was rushed off the stage during the chaos.
