The man accused of opening fire during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner is now facing a sweeping set of federal charges, including an alleged attempt to assassinate President Donald Trump, as officials laid out new details Monday about the lead-up to the attack.
Cole Allen appeared in federal court in Washington for the first time but did not enter a plea. Prosecutors say he is also facing two additional firearms-related charges.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stood alongside FBI Director Kash Patel and U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C., Jeanine Pirro to announce the charges, underscoring the severity of what authorities say was a direct threat against the president and top officials.
According to an FBI affidavit, Allen traveled cross-country by train from Los Angeles to Washington in the days leading up to the event. He checked into the Washington Hilton one day before the dinner, where thousands of journalists, lawmakers and high-profile guests were set to gather.
Prosecutors say Allen was armed with both a shotgun and a handgun when he rushed a security checkpoint on a floor above the ballroom where the dinner was underway. Authorities say he fired his weapon during the incident, though investigators have not confirmed whether he was the one who shot the Secret Service agent who was struck in the chest by a bullet that was stopped by body armor.
The incident has triggered mounting scrutiny of security protocols surrounding the high-profile event, which drew roughly 2,500 attendees. Multiple guests have since said security appeared unusually loose. The Secret Service acknowledged the concerns Monday and said changes are coming to prevent a repeat.
Blanche said investigators are still trying to fully understand what drove Allen, pointing to writings recovered by authorities.
“That’s what we have so far, as far as his motivation,” Blanche said.
“He was targeting President Trump. He described that in his manifesto. He was targeting administration officials. He described that. But as far as understanding additional motivation, that’s for the FBI and law enforcement,” he added.
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