WASHINGTON, D.C. — Federal authorities charged Cole Tomas Allen with attempting to assassinate U.S. President Donald J. Trump at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner, and a federal magistrate ordered him detained at his first court appearance in Washington, D.C. Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, faces a three-count complaint that includes firearms charges and carries a possible sentence of up to life in prison upon conviction.

Allen appeared in federal court wearing a blue prison jumpsuit. U.S. Magistrate Judge Matthew Sharbaugh ordered him held while the case proceeds, with a detention hearing scheduled for April 30, 2026, and a preliminary hearing set for May 11, 2026. Sharbaugh asked Allen whether he had recently taken any drugs, and Allen responded that he had not. Allen has not yet responded to the allegations.

Prosecutor Jocelyn Ballantine told the court: "He attempted to assassinate the president of the United States, Donald J Trump." According to the complaint, Allen traveled by train from his home near Los Angeles to Chicago and then to Washington, D.C., arriving on April 24, 2026, and checked into the Washington Hilton hotel.

He approached a security checkpoint on the terrace level of the hotel and ran through a magnetometer holding a long gun. Secret Service personnel at the checkpoint heard a loud gunshot. One Secret Service officer was shot in the chest but survived because a ballistic vest stopped the bullet, and was discharged from the hospital on Sunday. The officer fired five times at Allen, who was not hit, fell to the ground and was arrested. Allen allegedly had a shotgun, a pistol and three knives when arrested.

Trump and his officials were rushed to safety after the alleged gunman charged through the checkpoint outside the hotel ballroom. Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were among the cabinet members in attendance.

"Make no mistake, this was an attempted assassination of the president of the United States, with the defendant making clear what his intent was – and that intent was to bring down as many of the high ranking cabinet officials as he could," U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C., Jeanine Pirro said. Pirro said the alleged manifesto listed administration officials as targets in order from highest-ranking to lowest, and that authorities believe the guns were purchased in California. She said further charges could be filed as the investigation proceeds.

Investigators believe Allen acted alone and have not yet established a motive. Police have been searching an address in Torrance linked to Allen, and writings found in his hotel room are being examined. Allen has no record of criminal charges or civil court history in Los Angeles County.