Skip to main content
See every side of every news story
Published loading...Updated

Press dinner gunman pleads not guilty to attempting to assassinate Trump

Allen faces four federal charges after prosecutors say he fired a shotgun at a Secret Service officer and tried to kill President Donald Trump.

  • On Monday, Cole Tomas Allen pleaded not guilty in federal court to attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner last month.
  • Prosecutors allege Allen sprinted through a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton Hotel on April 26 armed with a shotgun and pistol, firing at Secret Service agents while Trump and officials attended the event nearby.
  • Investigators revealed the 31-year-old described himself as a "Friendly Federal Assassin" in notes sent to family members minutes before the attack, while records show he had planned the incident from his hotel room.
  • Defense attorneys moved to disqualify top Justice Department officials, naming U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, citing an "appearance of partiality" due to their attendance at the dinner.
  • U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden is presiding over the case, where Allen remains in custody after a Secret Service officer survived a chest wound from the shooting.
Insights by Ground AI
Podcasts & Opinions

269 Articles

Nebraska ExaminerNebraska Examiner
+7 Reposted by 7 other sources
Lean Left

Suspected White House press dinner shooter pleads not guilty to 4 federal charges

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche speaks as FBI Director Kash Patel and acting Assistant FBI Director for the Criminal Investigative Division Darren Cox listen at a press conference at the Department of Justice on April 27, 2026, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)WASHINGTON — The man who allegedly attacked the White House Correspondents’ Dinner last month pleaded not guilty Monday in federal court to four criminal cha…

Lean Left

Cole Allen opened fire at the White House in late April.

Lean Right

The Californian Cole A. is accused of planning a murder attack on Donald Trump at the US President's annual correspondent dinner. The 31-year-old denies plans to do so. In addition, his defenders consider the prosecutor to be biased.

·Dortmund, Germany
Read Full Article
Think freely.Subscribe and get full access to Ground NewsSubscriptions start at $9.99/yearSubscribe

Bias Distribution

  • 49% of the sources are Center
49% Center

Factuality Info Icon

To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium

Ownership

Info Icon

To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage

Fox5 DC broke the news in Washington, United States on Sunday, May 10, 2026.
Too Big Arrow Icon
Sources are mostly out of (0)

Similar News Topics

News
Feed Dots Icon
For You
Search Icon
Search
Blindspot LogoBlindspotLocal