US EditionAnalyst Says He Was Perplexed at Security for White House Correspondents' Dinner, Says ID "Not Checked at Any Point"
The alleged gunman entered with a shotgun, handgun and knives, and officials said the dinner was not designated as a National Special Security Event.
- On Saturday, April 25, 2026, authorities charged 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen with attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump after he breached security at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington.
- The Washington Hilton lacked 'National Special Security Event' designation, leading the administration to provide lower security levels than for major government functions despite the president and Cabinet members' attendance.
- Armed with a 12-gauge shotgun, a.38-caliber semiautomatic pistol, and knives, Allen allegedly authored a manifesto expecting "security cameras at every bend, bugged hotel rooms and armed agents every 10 feet, metal detectors out the wazoo."
- Secret Service agents subdued Allen as shots rang out, prompting White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt to announce a formal review of security protocols with the Secret Service for future events.
- The incident mirrors the 1981 attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan at the Hilton, raising questions about balancing public access with protection for senior leadership at major events.
32 Articles
32 Articles
How the White House Correspondents' Association dinner chaos unfolded
Hundreds of journalists, celebrities and politicians, including President Donald Trump and the two men next in line to succeed him, had taken their seats at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner Saturday night when, one floor above, a man rushed toward a Washington Hilton Hotel security checkpoint armed with guns and knives
Questions raised about security after shooting at White House correspondents’ dinner
Security is drawing attention after a shooting at the White House correspondents’ dinner, prompting questions about protocols and whether stronger protections are needed at high-profile events.
Questions Mount Over How Close Suspect Got To Trump - American Liberty News
Categories: Commentary•Defense News•Featured Tags: 2026 White House Correspondents' Dinner Shooting, Assassination Attempt, Cabinet of Donald Trump, Cole Tomas Allen, Defense News, Donald Trump, Featured, Paul Crespo, Political Violence, Secret Service, White House State Ballroom A would-be Trump assassin at the White House Correspondents' dinner in a Washington, D.C., hotel forced the Trump team's evacuation. Now, the big questions are coming f…
Analyst says he was perplexed at security for White House Correspondents' Dinner, says ID "not checked at any point"
Aaron MacLean, a CBS News national security analyst who attended the White House Correspondents' Dinner, said he "was perplexed even before the incident" about security for the event.
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