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A man accused of charging through a security perimeter and opening fire near the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner has been charged with attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump, a federal offense that carries a potential sentence of up to life in prison.
Cole Allen, who appeared in federal court Monday in Washington wearing a blue jumpsuit, also faces charges of transporting a firearm and ammunition across state lines and discharging a firearm during the commission of a violent crime, according to court proceedings.
During a preliminary hearing, U.S. Magistrate Judge Matthew Sharbaugh advised Allen of the charges and his rights. Allen accepted representation from federal public defenders Tezira Abe and Eugene Ohm.
The charges stem from a shooting Saturday night at the Washington Hilton, where the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner was underway. Authorities allege Allen ran through a magnetometer checkpoint while carrying a long gun before being subdued by law enforcement within seconds.
According to a federal criminal complaint, the incident occurred around 8:40 p.m., when Secret Service personnel heard a gunshot as Allen breached the security screening area.
An officer stationed at the checkpoint was struck in the chest but was protected by a bulletproof vest, then returned fire. Allen fell to the ground and suffered minor injuries, though officials said he was not struck by gunfire.
Investigators said Allen had booked a room at the hotel more than two weeks in advance, staying from April 24 to April 26. Authorities allege he traveled by train from Los Angeles to Washington, with a stop in Chicago, carrying multiple weapons.
Prosecutors said Allen was found with a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun, a .38 caliber semi-automatic pistol, three knives and additional equipment described in court as “dangerous paraphernalia.”
Federal prosecutors argued that Allen should remain in custody, describing the case as involving terrorism-related conduct.
“We are asking the court to preventatively detain Mr. Allen,” prosecutor Jocelyn Ballantine said during the hearing. “He has been charged with a federal crime of terrorism.”
The charge that Allen discharged a firearm marks the government’s first formal assertion that he fired a weapon during the incident. However, officials acknowledged that forensic analysis is ongoing.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said investigators believe Allen fired his shotgun because an empty cartridge was recovered, though ballistics testing is still underway.
“We’re still looking at that and I think that’s something you’ll hear about in the coming days,” Blanche said at a Justice Department news conference.
The criminal complaint does not detail a clear motive, but officials said they are reviewing a manifesto allegedly sent by Allen to associates, along with digital evidence recovered during the investigation.
Blanche emphasized that law enforcement acted effectively to neutralize the threat, rejecting suggestions that the incident represented a security failure.
“Law enforcement did not fail. They did exactly what they were trained to do,” Blanche said. “This man was a floor above the ballroom with hundreds of federal agents between him and the president of the United States.”
Blanche also suggested that broader political discourse may contribute to threats against public officials, criticizing what he described as “overly critical” media coverage and inflammatory rhetoric online.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro attended the hearing alongside prosecutors Charles Jones and Ballantine. They requested that Allen remain detained at least until a follow-up hearing later this week before Magistrate Judge Moxila Upadhyaya.
The incident has intensified debate over political violence in the United States and the security of high-profile public events. Trump has survived multiple prior assassination attempts, including incidents during the 2024 campaign.
Security experts and policymakers are now examining how Allen was able to transport weapons across the country and gain access to a major event venue. His use of rail travel has prompted renewed scrutiny of passenger screening procedures, particularly on long-distance train routes.
The attack has also raised questions about the safety of the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner itself, which is held in a large hotel that remains partially open to guests and the public.
In the aftermath, Trump and his allies have renewed calls for the construction of a dedicated White House ballroom equipped with enhanced security measures. The proposal has faced legal challenges, with a federal judge recently pausing the project pending congressional approval before an appeals court allowed work to continue during ongoing litigation.
The Justice Department has since urged opponents of the project to drop their legal challenge, citing the latest threat against the president.
Allen is scheduled to return to court later this week for a detention hearing, where a judge will determine whether he will remain in custody pending trial.
Meanwhile, investigators continue to analyze forensic evidence, including ballistics and digital materials, as they work to establish a clearer timeline and motive.
Officials have indicated that additional details — including whether Allen fired his weapon and the extent of his planning — may emerge in the coming days as the case develops.
