WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Justice Department asked a federal court in Washington to detain Cole Allen pending trial on charges that he attempted to assassinate the president at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on April 25, 2026. D.C. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro filed a memorandum requesting detention that included a new photograph of Allen with his weapons, according to court documents.

Allen was charged in federal court with three counts, including attempting to assassinate the president. The other two charges involve the use and transport of firearms. If convicted, he faces a possible maximum sentence of life in prison.

The detention memorandum argued that Allen should be held without release. "The defendant's actions were premeditated, violent, and calculated to cause death," the memorandum said. "Considering the relevant statutory factors, there is no condition or combination of conditions that will reasonably assure the safety of other people or the community if the defendant were released from custody. The Court should detain the defendant pending trial," the memorandum said.

The court filing includes images of a selfie Allen allegedly took in his hotel room shortly before the shooting, according to court documents. At approximately 8:03 p.m., Allen used his cellphone to take a photograph of himself in the mirror in his hotel room. The photograph showed a shoulder holster and a sheathed knife.

About half an hour later, Allen sprinted past the magnetometers, fired a shotgun blast, then fell down and was restrained by officers, according to officials. The shooting took place at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on April 25, 2026.