United States President Donald Trump and his officials were reportedly the “primary” targets of an armed individual who attempted to storm the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, according to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.
The suspect, identified by U.S. media as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, was apprehended after police reported he fired shots near a security checkpoint during the event at a Washington D.C. hotel on Saturday night.
Speaking to NBC News, Blanche stated that the assailant’s motive remains under investigation. However, initial findings strongly suggest that Trump and several of his officials were the intended targets of the attack.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), specifically its criminal division and counter-terrorism task force, has taken over the investigation into the serious incident.
President Trump, who was swiftly evacuated from the stage to a secure location, later told reporters at a press conference following the shooting: “I cannot imagine a more dangerous profession than this.”
In a statement issued on Sunday, the White House affirmed that Trump “remains steadfast and fearless” after he and his cabinet members survived what they described as an “assassination attempt when shots were fired.”
Weijia Jiang, President of the White House Correspondents’ Association, characterized the assault as a “horrific event.”
On Sunday, Jiang, who was seated next to Trump during the dinner, publicly thanked the U.S. Secret Service for their decisive actions, which she credited with “protecting thousands of guests” at the high-profile gathering.
The same day, President Trump informed Fox News that the suspect had “harbored a lot of hatred in his heart for a long time,” adding that the suspect’s family was aware he faced “various difficulties.”
Trump further disclosed that the suspect was found to be in possession of a “manifesto.”
The incident unfolded around 8:35 PM local time on Saturday, when the sound of gunshots echoed through the lobby area of the Washington Hilton Hotel.
The hotel was hosting the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner in its downstairs ballroom.
President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and Vice President JD Vance were promptly evacuated from the premises by vigilant security personnel.
Officials confirmed that law enforcement engaged in an exchange of gunfire with the suspected assailant, successfully intercepting him. They “believe” the suspect discharged his firearm during the confrontation.
The alleged attacker was reportedly not shot but was transported to a hospital for medical evaluation.
Police confirmed that the suspect was carrying two firearms and several knives.
A senior U.S. official told CBS News that investigators are currently scrutinizing writings allegedly penned by the suspect, which reportedly expressed his desire to specifically target government officials.
It was also reported that a member of Allen’s family contacted the police after receiving these writings prior to the attack.
However, the writings sent to the family member reportedly did not explicitly mention the White House Correspondents’ Dinner as a specific target.
BBC News has not been able to independently verify these writings, which have been described as a manifesto and were reportedly sent to the suspect’s family before the attempted assault.
A security officer who sustained injuries after being shot in the incident has since been discharged from the hospital.
His bulletproof vest “helped us prevent a potential tragedy,” Anthony Guglielmi, Chief of Communications for the U.S. Secret Service, told the BBC.
Several BBC journalists were among the attendees at the dinner and described a scene of widespread confusion that descended upon the venue after the shots were heard.
Gary O’Donoghue, the BBC’s North America Chief Correspondent, recounted hearing “a loud bang.”
“Within seconds, I thought, that’s the low thudding sound that a semi-automatic weapon makes,” he further elaborated.
The room was temporarily placed under lockdown before an announcement declared the event would be rescheduled and participants were advised to depart the location.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche informed the BBC’s U.S. partner, CBS News, that investigators believe the suspect traveled to the capital by train, journeying from Los Angeles to Chicago before continuing to Washington D.C.
Allen identified himself on his LinkedIn profile as a mechanical engineer, game developer, and educator.
He hails from Torrance, California, where an address believed to be linked to him is currently being searched by authorities.
Officials have stated that Allen is expected to be formally charged in federal court on Monday with assaulting a federal officer and using a firearm in a violent crime.
Following the attack, the U.S. President delivered a briefing from the White House.
Addressing a room full of journalists, all in formal evening attire, Trump, also dressed in a black-tie suit, lauded the performance of the U.S. Secret Service. He remarked that everyone in the room owed them “an enormous debt of gratitude.”
Despite his frequent criticisms of the media throughout his two presidential terms, Trump took the opportunity to thank the press for what he termed their “responsible coverage” of the attack.
He also made a plea for the public to “resolve differences peacefully.”
Trump then leveraged the incident to reiterate his arguments concerning the planned construction of a new ballroom at the White House.
In a post on Truth Social, he asserted that the incident would not have occurred “if the military-grade secret ballroom currently under construction was already in place.”
This controversial project has previously faced several legal challenges.
This marks the third instance Trump has faced an assassination threat. In July 2024, a bullet grazed his ear while he was campaigning in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Two months later, in September 2024, a gunman allegedly attempting to ambush him was spotted hiding in bushes on Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida.
This event was President Trump’s first attendance at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner as president.
His last attendance at the event was in 2011, when he was still a private citizen.
Former U.S. President Barack Obama, who delivered a presidential speech at the 2011 dinner also attended by Trump, commented, “It is our collective responsibility to reject the idea that violence has any place in our democracy.”
“This is also a grave reminder of the bravery and sacrifice shown by U.S. Secret Service agents every single day. I thank them—and am grateful that the officer who was shot is confirmed to be recovering.”
A number of world leaders have also condemned the incident.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer expressed his “shock” at the attack, adding: “Any attack on democratic institutions or press freedom must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.”
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney conveyed his “relief” that Trump, the First Lady, and all guests present at the event were safe.
Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also stated he was “pleased to hear” that everyone at the scene had survived the ordeal.
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Summary
President Donald Trump and his officials were reportedly the primary targets of Cole Tomas Allen (31), who fired shots near a security checkpoint during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday night. The incident occurred in the lobby of the Washington Hilton Hotel, leading to the swift evacuation of Trump, the First Lady, and the Vice President. The suspect was apprehended after an exchange of gunfire, with one security officer sustaining injuries but later discharged from the hospital.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that while the motive remains under investigation, initial findings strongly suggest Trump and his officials were the intended targets. The FBI has taken over the investigation, discovering the suspect possessed two firearms, several knives, and a “manifesto.” This event marks the third assassination threat Trump has faced, prompting him to praise the U.S. Secret Service for their decisive actions.