Cole Allen, the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooter, has formally been charged for his attempt to assassinate President Donald Trump.
🚨 BREAKING: Suspect in WHCA Dinner shooting charged with 3 counts including attempting to assassinate the president of the United States
— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 27, 2026
Cole Tomas Allen, the man arrested after allegedly charging a security checkpoint for the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, was criminally charged Monday with trying to assassinate President Donald Trump, who was in attendance at that event Saturday.
— CNBC (@CNBC) April 27, 2026
Allen, 31, is also charged… pic.twitter.com/VcwVOvHMwi
BREAKING: Cole Tomas Allen charged with intent to assassinate the president in connection with the WHCD shooting, a crime carrying a potential life sentence.
— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) April 27, 2026
WASHINGTON (AP) — Man accused in White House correspondents' dinner shooting is charged with attempted assassination of President Trump.
— Seung Min Kim (@seungminkim) April 27, 2026
CNN: Cole Thomas Allen has been formally charged with attempting to assassinate President Trump. pic.twitter.com/xpG9ze9Jjd
— Politics & Poll Tracker 📡 (@PollTracker2024) April 27, 2026
Allen had initially only received charges for transportation of a firearm or ammunition in interstate commerce and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence. During his arraignment, authorities stated that they would be handing down an additional charge for attempted assassination.
Allen confessed to investigators that his goal was to kill Trump and members of his cabinet and had referred to himself as the “Friendly Federal Assassin,” according to Fox News.
If convicted, sentencing guidelines would make Allen eligible for life imprisonment.