Washington, DC — April 28, 2026 The United States Department of Justice has filed three federal charges against Cole Tomas Allen, the 31-year-old accused of carrying out the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, in what authorities describe as an attempted assassination of Donald Trump.
US Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced Monday that Allen faces charges of attempting to assassinate the president, interstate transportation of a firearm to commit a felony, and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. Officials indicated that additional charges are likely as the investigation continues.
The incident occurred Saturday night at the Washington Hilton during the high-profile annual event attended by President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and other senior officials.
According to court documents unsealed Monday, Allen approached a security checkpoint at the venue carrying a long gun and ran through a magnetometer. As he breached the checkpoint, US Secret Service personnel heard a gunshot. One officer was struck in the chest but was protected by a ballistic vest and survived.
Authorities said Allen managed to fire “a couple shots” before being quickly subdued by Secret Service agents and other law enforcement personnel. The President and other key attendees were immediately evacuated and were unharmed.
Federal prosecutors allege that Allen traveled across multiple states in preparation for the attack. Investigators say he journeyed by train from Los Angeles to Chicago and then to Washington, DC, between April 21 and April 24. He checked into the Washington Hilton upon arrival.
At the time of the attack, Allen was allegedly carrying a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun, a Rock Island Armory 1911 .38-caliber pistol, and three knives—an arsenal prosecutors say underscores his intent to cause mass harm.
US Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro described the case in stark terms, stating, “Make no mistake, this was an attempted assassination of the president of the United States.” She added that the suspect intended “to bring down as many high-ranking Cabinet officials as he could,” emphasizing that Allen’s “journey of accountability in the criminal justice system starts today.”
Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel noted the personal impact of the incident, as many federal officials, including himself, were present at the event. He confirmed that the FBI deployed a mobile command center, collected ballistic evidence, and is processing materials at its laboratory in Quantico. Investigators have also interviewed multiple witnesses and are reviewing evidence gathered from various locations.
Blanche said law enforcement authorities executed search warrants in both California and Washington, DC, and seized multiple electronic devices from Allen’s hotel room and residence. He defended the rapid response, asserting that “law enforcement did not fail” and that agencies were fully prepared to handle such threats.
President Trump, speaking after the incident, described the suspect as “radicalised” and “sick,” referencing a manifesto attributed to Allen that allegedly revealed a shift in his beliefs. Trump stated that the suspect had once identified as a Christian but had become “anti-Christian,” adding that his family had expressed concern about his mental state.
Recounting the moment of the attack, Trump said security personnel instructed him to take cover immediately. “When they said, ‘Drop down,’ that meant trouble,” he said, praising the swift and decisive actions of the Secret Service. “Those guys did a really good job,” he added.
Blanche also pointed to what he described as a broader climate of violent rhetoric, suggesting that such incidents are not new and that authorities must remain vigilant.
According to court proceedings, Allen did not enter a plea during his initial hearing Monday. He remains in federal custody and is scheduled to appear again before a magistrate judge later this week, with a preliminary hearing set for May 11.
As the investigation deepens, officials have made clear that further charges may be forthcoming, underscoring the seriousness of what authorities have characterized as a targeted and premeditated attack on the highest levels of the US government. (ANI)
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