Cole Tomas Allen, the 31-year-old suspect accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump, made his first court appearance in Washington D.C. federal court on April 27. He faces three federal felony charges: attempted assassination of a president, transportation of a firearm across state lines for use in a felony, and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. If convicted on all counts, he could face life in prison.
The incident occurred on April 25 when Trump attended the White House Correspondents' Dinner at the Washington Hilton. According to the Justice Department, Allen forced his way through a metal detector gate carrying a pump-action shotgun. Multiple shots were heard, and Secret Service agents subdued and arrested him. The DOJ formally filed three federal charges on April 27, as reported by Reuters.
According to a federal affidavit submitted by prosecutors, Allen was carrying one pump-action shotgun, one .38-caliber handgun, and three knives. A Secret Service agent in body armor was shot in the chest and fell, then fired five shots at Allen.
Manifesto Email: Cabinet Members Listed as Targets Except Patel
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche revealed during a post-court press conference that investigators discovered an email sent by Allen about 10 minutes before the incident. The nearly 1,000-word email was addressed to family members and others. The manifesto stated: “Cabinet members, except for Mr. Patel (referring to FBI Director Kash Patel), will be targeted in order of rank.” Blanche noted the email used derogatory terms like “traitor,” suggesting Allen viewed Trump as the primary target. The DOJ confirmed that Allen’s family had contacted police before the incident.
Detention Hearing Set for April 30; More Charges Expected
Allen appeared briefly in court wearing a blue prison jumpsuit and did not enter a plea. Prosecutor Jocelyn Ballantine told the judge, “Allen attempted to assassinate President Donald Trump.” The three charges are: attempted assassination of the president, interstate transportation of firearms and ammunition for use in a felony, and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. The attempted assassination charge alone carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. The judge scheduled a detention hearing for April 30, and federal prosecutors indicated they will bring additional charges. Blanche added that investigators found a fired shell casing in the shotgun’s chamber, indicating Allen did fire the weapon; further forensic analysis is underway. Allen, a graduate of Caltech and a teacher, is from Torrance, California.