Man accused of attempting to storm Trump dinner to remain in jail
Cole Tomas Allen, 31, has agreed to remain in jail without entering a plea after being accused of attempting to storm the White House Correspondents' Association dinner while armed with a shotgun and knives, allegedly trying to assassinate US President Donald Trump. He appeared briefly in federal court, where prosecutors presented evidence including a selfie taken before the incident and claims he fired at a Secret Service officer who was injured but survived. His defense argues the assassination charge relies on speculation, noting no direct mention of Trump in Allen's writings, while prosecutors maintain the evidence supports their case.
- ▪Cole Tomas Allen is charged with attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump, discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, and other firearms offenses.
- ▪Allen allegedly ran through a magnetometer at the Washington Hilton with a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun and a .38 caliber pistol during the correspondents' dinner.
- ▪A Secret Service officer was struck by a projectile but survived due to wearing a bullet-resistant vest, and investigators recovered buckshot fragments consistent with Allen's weapon.
- ▪Prosecutors say Allen took a selfie minutes before the incident, referring to himself as a 'Friendly Federal Assassin' and alluding to grievances with Trump administration policies.
- ▪Allen's defense contends the government's case is based on speculation and that ballistic evidence may contradict aspects of the official narrative.
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Cole Tomas Allen to remain in jail after alleged attempt to storm correspondents' dinnerTopic:Law, Crime and Justice16m ago16 minutes agoThu 30 Apr 2026 at 7:02pmUS President Donald Trump posted a picture of the suspected shooter on social media. (Truth Social: @realDonaldTrump)In short: Cole Tomas Allen, 31, has appeared briefly in court, days after he allegedly attempted to storm the White House Correspondents' Association dinner armed with guns and knives.Mr Allen is charged with a number of offences, including attempting to assassinate US President Donald Trump.Appearing before the court on Thursday, local time, he agreed to stay jailed while he awaits trial.abc.net.au/news/correspondents-dinner-alleged-shooter-cole-tomas-allen/106628870Link copiedShareShare articleA man accused of…
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