A judge in the District of Columbia ruled on Thursday that Cole Allen, the individual accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump during the White House Correspondents' Dinner last Saturday, will remain in custody without bail.
According to reports from Efe, the court session lasted a mere 15 minutes and ended unexpectedly when Allen's defense, which had filed a legal motion the previous day to challenge the preventive detention, withdrew their objection and agreed to the incarceration of their client.
Allen appeared before the court dressed in an orange jumpsuit, with no prior criminal record.
District of Columbia Prosecutor Jeanine Pirro called for the pretrial detention and revealed on Fox News that numerous additional charges are expected to be filed against Allen once the grand jury is involved. This group of citizens will decide if there is sufficient probable cause for the prosecution to charge him with serious federal offenses.
Details of the Attack
Currently, Allen is facing three charges: attempted assassination of the president, which carries a potential life sentence; interstate transportation of a firearm to commit a felony; and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, which has a mandatory minimum sentence of ten consecutive years.
The incident took place last Saturday at approximately 8:30 PM at the Washington Hilton, during the 105th edition of the dinner attended by about 2,000 guests, including Trump, First Lady Melania, Vice President JD Vance, and House Speaker Mike Johnson.
According to the prosecution, Allen dashed past a security checkpoint and opened fire with a shotgun towards the ballroom.
Security Response and Aftermath
A Secret Service agent was struck in the chest, but his bulletproof vest absorbed the impact, as confirmed by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.
Officers responded with five shots, subduing Allen without hitting him. The episode resulted in no fatalities, although it triggered panic among attendees and urgent evacuation of Trump and other officials.
Court documents disclosed that Allen had meticulously planned the assault over several weeks, traveling cross-country by train from California to Washington to avoid airport security checks.
He booked two nights at the hotel hosting the gala to gain access as a guest, though he wasn’t an official attendee.
Motive and Background
About ten minutes before the attack, Allen sent his family a manifesto containing approximately 1,000 words, in which he identified Trump administration officials as targets by rank and labeled the president as a "pedophile, rapist, and traitor."
Allen also scheduled emails apologizing to family and friends.
The Department of Justice filed three federal charges against Allen on Monday, April 28, following the attack, which marked the third assassination attempt against Trump in under two years, following incidents in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July 2024, and West Palm Beach, Florida, in September of the same year.
In a related episode this February, the Secret Service fatally shot an armed man who broke into Mar-a-Lago carrying a weapon and a fuel container, although Trump was not present at the residence at that time.
Allen's next court appearance is scheduled for May 11, 2026, for a preliminary hearing, where the grand jury may consider expanding the charges against him.
In assessing the situation, Pirro was firm: “Let this serve as a warning to anyone who thinks Washington D.C. is a venue for political violence. The law does not allow for enforcement through violence, particularly against the president. It is fundamentally undemocratic.”
Key Questions About the Alleged Assassination Attempt
What charges is Cole Allen facing?
Cole Allen is facing charges of attempted assassination of the president, interstate transportation of a firearm to commit a felony, and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.
How did the Secret Service respond to the attack?
The Secret Service responded to the attack by firing five shots, successfully subduing Cole Allen without hitting him.
What was contained in Allen's manifesto?
Allen's manifesto identified Trump administration officials as targets and accused the president of being a "pedophile, rapist, and traitor."