A 31-year-old man from California, Cole Thomas Allen, has been charged with attempting to assassinate U.S. President Donald Trump during the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington, D.C. Prosecutors said Allen broke through a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton Hotel armed with a semi-automatic handgun, a pump-action shotgun, and three knives. A Secret Service agent was shot but survived due to a bulletproof vest. Allen faces additional firearms-related charges and could face life imprisonment if convicted.
Court documents and prosecutors revealed that Allen had traveled from California to Washington days before the attack and had written to relatives expressing intent to target senior administration officials. Authorities are reviewing the White House’s security arrangements following the incident, which marked the third attempt on Trump’s life. Officials said the suspect is not cooperating with investigators.
White House officials stated that President Trump maintains confidence in the Secret Service, while security protocols for future major events are being reassessed. The postponed Correspondents’ Dinner will be rescheduled once new safety measures are finalized.