Suspected White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooter Cole Tomas Allen made his first court appearance after being arrested for his alleged role in the Saturday, April 25, shooting.
Allen, 31, was arraigned in federal court on Monday, April 27, where federal prosecutors accused him of seeking to assassinate President Donald Trump. He was charged with three criminal counts. Along with the formal accusation of attempting to assassinate the president, Allen was also charged with interstate transportation of weapons and discharge of a firearm during a violent crime charges, per NBC News.
According to federal prosecutors, Allen traveled to Washington, D.C. via train, armed with several deadly weapons. He was found to have a 12 gauge pump action shotgun, a .38-caliber semi-automatic pistol and three knives, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jocelyn Ballantine told the court.
“Mr. Allen has no prior arrests or convictions,” court-appointed defense lawyer Tezira Abe said. “He is presumed innocent at this time.”
Allen was arrested after shots were fired outside of the annual WHCA dinner on Saturday. President Trump, Vice President JD Vance, first lady Melania Trump and other members of the Trump administration were subsequently evacuated from the venue.
A secret service member was shot during the incident, but he was protected by a ballistic vest. He was taken to a local hospital before being released.
“Quite an evening in D.C. Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job. They acted quickly and bravely,” Donald, 79, wrote via his Truth Social platform on Saturday. “The shooter has been apprehended, and I have recommended that we ‘LET THE SHOW GO ON’ but, will entirely be guided by Law Enforcement.”
He continued, “They will make a decision shortly. Regardless of that decision, the evening will be much different than planned, and we’ll just, plain, have to do it again.”
The president elaborated on the incident at a White House press conference, reflecting on the dangers of being in the public eye.
“I like not to think about it. I lead a pretty normal life, considering, you know, it’s a dangerous life. I think I’m — I think I handle it as well as it can be handled,” he said.
WHCA president Weijia Jiang later confirmed that the annual gala will be rescheduled.
“Law enforcement has requested that we leave the premises. … [The president] wanted to emphasize that nobody was hurt,” Jiang said from inside the ballroom on Saturday. “The cabinet and the first lady, everybody’s safe. I said earlier tonight that journalism is a public service because when there is an emergency we run toward the crisis, not away from it … I saw all of you reporting and that’s what we do. Thank God everybody is safe and thank you for coming together tonight.”
An investigation into Allen’s motives is still ongoing, but he allegedly wrote about feeling “rage” over the Trump administration’s actions in a letter sent to family moments before the shooting took place.
Secret Service director Matthew Quinn further addressed the situation via X, writing, “Tonight, a coward attempted to create a national tragedy. He underestimated the protective capabilities of the U.S. Secret Service, and was stopped at first contact. The strength of our layered security posture was evident, with a myriad of countermeasures still ahead. Grateful for the brave men and women of the Secret Service and our valued Law Enforcement partners.”
