On Saturday night, April 25, 2026, an armed man attempted to attack the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) dinner at the Washington Hilton. The suspect, identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, reportedly intended to target President Trump and members of his administration.
Here are the key details regarding the incident:
The Incident
- The Attack: Around 8:36 p.m., Allen allegedly charged a security checkpoint one floor above the main ballroom. He was armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives.
- Shots Fired: Witnesses reported hearing between five and eight gunshots. One Secret Service agent was struck in their ballistic vest; fortunately, the agent was not seriously injured.
- Evacuation: Secret Service agents rushed President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump off the stage and out of the hotel. Other attendees, including Vice President J.D. Vance and high-profile journalists, took cover under tables until the area was secured.
The Suspect and Motive
- Background: Cole Allen is a former teacher and video game developer from California. He had reportedly checked into the Washington Hilton as a guest on Friday, which allowed him to bypass the outermost security perimeter.
- The “Manifesto”: Authorities recovered a written document in which Allen allegedly referred to himself as a “Friendly Federal Assassin.” Federal officials stated the writings and his social media history contained anti-Trump and anti-Christian rhetoric.
- Legal Action: Allen was apprehended at the scene and is facing charges, including assault on a federal officer and using a firearm during a crime of violence. He is scheduled for arraignment in federal court on Monday.
Current Status
President Trump addressed the nation from the White House later that night, describing the attacker as a “lone wolf” and a “very sick person.” While the dinner was canceled for the evening, WHCA President Weijia Jiang stated the event would be rescheduled for a later date. Security at the Washington Hilton—the same site where President Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981—is currently under intense review by the Secret Service.