Man Charged With Attempting to Assassinate Trump

Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, appeared in Washington federal court Monday on three charges, including attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump. He was arrested Saturday night after allegedly firing a shotgun at a Secret Service agent at a security checkpoint inside the Washington Hilton, where the White House Correspondents Association Dinner was taking place. A tactical vest stopped the shot; the agent was treated and released the same night. Allen had booked a room at the hotel and travelled from California by train. Before the attack, he left a manifesto with family members describing himself as the "Friendly Federal Assassin" and outlining plans to target senior Trump administration officials present at the dinner. Prosecutors said Trump himself was likely among the intended targets. Trump, scheduled to speak at the event, was rushed off stage after shots were fired. Allen was tackled just inside the security perimeter and was also carrying a handgun and multiple knives at the time of his arrest. Magistrate Judge Matthew Sharbaugh ordered Allen held pending another detention hearing Thursday. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called it the third major assassination attempt against Trump, after two incidents during his 2024 campaign. Allen has not yet responded to the charges.