Cole Tomas Allen, 31, has been charged with attempted assassination of the president after allegedly trying to storm the White House correspondents’ dinner armed with a shotgun and knives. He faces three federal charges that could lead to a life sentence.
Key points
Cole Tomas Allen charged with attempted assassination.
He was armed with a shotgun, a pistol, and knives.
The incident occurred at the White House correspondents’ dinner.
His manifesto criticized the event's security measures.
Trump administration officials are leveraging the attack for a ballroom project.
Mentioned in this story
Cole Tomas AllenTrump administration
Good morning.
The suspect accused of trying to storm the White House correspondents’ dinner was charged on Monday with three federal crimes, including attempting to assassinate the president – a charge that carries a potential sentence of up to life in prison.
The alleged shooter, identified by law enforcement agencies as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, appeared in federal court in a blue jail jumpsuit alongside lawyers with the federal defender’s office. Jocelyn Ballantine, a federal prosecutor, said he was armed with a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun, a pistol and three knives when he was tackled by law enforcement officers on Saturday night outside the Hilton hotel ballroom where the annual dinner was being held.
What was his motive? Investigators have yet to release one. However, to establish the charge of attempted assassination, the affidavit quotes from a part of a manifesto Allen allegedly sent to family members that states: “I am no longer willing to permit a pedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes.”
Was lax security to blame? While many have praised the actions of law enforcement officers in swiftly stopping the attack, Allen’s alleged manifesto mocked an “insane” lack of security at the Washington dinner.
What is the Trump administration saying about the attack? Several officials, including the president, have seized on the incident to advance their case for the completion of Trump’s $40m White House ballroom project, with the justice department pressuring a preservation group to drop a lawsuit seeking to halt the construction.
King Charles expected to allude to strained relations between UK and US in rare address to Congress
King Charles and Donald Trump are seated on two armchairs facing each other while to their side, Queen Camilla and Melania Trump chat on a couch.
Q&A
What charges has Cole Tomas Allen faced for the White House dinner incident?
Cole Tomas Allen has been charged with three federal crimes, including attempted assassination of the president.
What weapons did the suspect have during the attempted attack?
The suspect was armed with a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun, a pistol, and three knives.
What did the suspect's manifesto reveal about his motives?
The manifesto allegedly expressed a refusal to allow a 'pedophile, rapist, and traitor' to continue his crimes, although specific motives have not been fully disclosed.
How is the Trump administration responding to the assassination attempt?
Trump administration officials are using the incident to advocate for the completion of a $40 million White House ballroom project, citing security concerns.
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President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump host King Charles III and Queen Camilla for afternoon tea at the White House. Photograph: Getty Images
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US Renounce citizenship 1 5x4 Illustration: Andrea Ucini
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