Cole Tomas Allen has been charged with the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump after allegedly trying to storm the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner with guns and knives. The chaotic encounter on Saturday resulted in shots being fired, Trump being rushed off the stage, and guests taking cover underneath their tables. Allen, hailing from Torrance, California, was taken into custody and appeared in federal court in Washington on Monday. He did not enter a plea.
According to an FBI affidavit, Allen had reserved a room at the Washington hotel where the event was held weeks in advance. He traveled from California by train and checked into the Washington Hilton a day before the dinner. The 31-year-old man, armed with a shotgun and pistol, attempted to breach a security barricade near the ballroom, leading to an exchange of gunfire with Secret Service agents.
Despite being injured, Allen was not shot. A Secret Service officer was shot but survived due to wearing a bullet-resistant vest. The Justice Department also charged Allen with additional firearms offenses. However, it is not explicitly stated in the affidavit that he shot the officer.
An email from Allen sheds light on his motive, where he referred to himself as a “Friendly Federal Assassin” and expressed grievances over Trump administration actions. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt condemned the attack, calling Allen a “crazed anti-Trump individual” who aimed to assassinate the president and other officials.
Records show that Allen is a highly educated tutor and amateur video game developer. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the California Institute of Technology and a master’s degree in computer science from California State University, Dominguez Hills. Allen’s social media profile indicates his part-time work at a company offering admissions counseling and test preparation services.
Voter registration lists Allen’s home address in Torrance, California, where law enforcement agents were seen canvassing the neighborhood. A yard sign at his family home supported a local Democratic candidate, and federal campaign finance records show Allen’s contributions to a Democratic Party political action committee.
As the investigation continues, Allen remains in custody pending further court hearings, facing a potential life sentence if convicted of the assassination charge. His attorney emphasized his presumed innocence and lack of criminal record during a court appearance.
