The suspect is expected to be charged with assault of a federal officer and using a firearm during a crime of violence, officials have said.
Trump and senior members of his administration were the likely targets of the suspect who opened fire at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on April 25, 2026, according to Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche. The suspect, identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, California, is believed to have acted alone and was apprehended after rushing a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton.
Authorities base their assessment on a manifesto and social media posts in which Allen expressed anti-Trump and anti-Christian sentiments and stated his intent to target administration officials, “prioritized from highest-ranking to lowest.” Blanche confirmed that Allen could be charged with attempting to assassinate the president, in addition to assault of a federal officer and using a firearm during a crime of violence.
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Allen traveled by Amtrak from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., checking into the hotel days before the event.
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He was armed with two firearms and knives but was subdued before reaching the ballroom.
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Trump, Melania Trump, and Vice President JD Vance were safely evacuated; a Secret Service officer was injured but discharged from hospital the next day.
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