Following a shooting in April, Trump indicated he would tone down his initially planned harsh speech for the rescheduled White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) dinner in June, suggesting a more subdued approach.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said Sunday that ballistics evidence shows Cole Tomas Allen, the alleged White House Correspondents' Association dinner shooter, fired the shot that hit a Secret Service agent's protective vest. Allen, 31, of California, has been charged with attempting to assassinate President Trump and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. The shooting marked the third attempt on Trump's life since 2024. Allen remains in custody after waiving his right to challenge detention, and his attorneys are seeking to remove him from suicide precautions in jail.
Surveillance video released Thursday shows alleged would-be assassin Cole Tomas Allen, 31, casing the Washington Hilton Hotel on April 24 and then storming a Secret Service checkpoint the next evening during the White House Correspondents' Association dinner where President Trump was speaking. Allen allegedly wielded a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun and was shot by a Secret Service officer. He was also carrying a .38-caliber pistol, ammunition, and multiple knives. The officer struck by gunfire was not seriously injured due to protective gear. Allen, a Caltech graduate from Torrance, California, is charged with trying to assassinate Trump and related firearms offenses.
A Secret Service agent was injured during an assassination attempt on President Trump at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington. The agent fired five shots at suspect Cole Tomas Allen, 31, who was armed with a shotgun, pistol and knives. The agent may have been struck by friendly fire. Allen, from Torrance, California, has been charged with attempted assassination. The agent survived because the bullet hit a Kevlar vest. The suspect was stopped before reaching the main hall where Trump and officials were attending.
Trump and supporters are advocating for a $400 million White House ballroom following a shooting incident at the Washington Hilton during the White House Correspondents' Association dinner. The DOJ suggests the WHCA could hold its annual dinner at the new ballroom once built, though critics including journalists and ethics experts say the event would never be held at a White House-controlled venue due to independence concerns. The project faces a legal challenge from the National Trust for Historical Preservation over lack of Congressional authorization.
US authorities have charged Cole Allen, a 32-year-old from California, with attempted murder of a protected official, weapons violations, and unlawful entry in what they describe as the third alleged assassination attempt on President Trump. The incident occurred at the WHCA dinner security perimeter. The case has sparked a political firestorm, with Trump allies blaming Democrats and liberal media for normalizing political violence, while critics point to Trump's own history of encouraging violence. Trump has called for Jimmy Kimmel to be fired over jokes made about Melania.
A gunman was apprehended one floor above the White House Correspondents' Association dinner ballroom on Saturday evening, prompting Secret Service agents to rush the president and vice president off the stage. The suspect was tackled at a security checkpoint before reaching the stairs leading to the ballroom where President Trump and other dignitaries were gathered. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the suspect barely broke the perimeter by a few feet, calling it extraordinarily dangerous but noting the system worked. Trump indicated he wants to hold another dinner within 30 days with tighter security.
First Lady Melania Trump issued a statement on Monday condemning late-night host Jimmy Kimmel for jokes he made at a satirical White House Correspondents' Association dinner monologue, including referring to her as an 'expectant widow.' The controversy follows an armed security incident at the WHCA venue that prompted evacuation of President Trump. While no fatalities were reported, the First Lady warned that such humor 'normalizes mockery of violence against public officials and their families.' Critics note the selective outrage given Trump's own combative rhetoric.
A shooting incident near the White House Correspondents' Association dinner on Saturday night prompted Secret Service to evacuate President Trump and first lady Melania Trump. During the chaos, Trump senior adviser Dan Scavino climbed onto a chair and attempted to lead 'USA! USA!' chants, but was met with awkward silence and shushing from other attendees. The suspect, identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen of California, was taken into custody after exchanging gunfire with officers. The incident follows two assassination attempts on Trump in 2024.
