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Would-be assassin pleads not guilty in brazen attack on President Trump

Cole Tomas Allen, who stormed a security checkpoint with a shotgun, faces federal charges for his attempt on the President's life.

PoliticsPublished May 11, 2026 at 2:52 PMProcessed May 12, 2026 at 1:00 AM
Cole Tomas Allen takes a selfie in a mirror. He is wearing a black shirt and red tie

Cole Tomas Allen, the 31-year-old suspect who attempted to carry out a deadly attack at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner last month, has pleaded not guilty to federal charges, including the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump.

Allen, who was apprehended after a harrowing exchange of gunfire with the Secret Service, now faces a series of severe charges, including the use of a firearm during a crime of violence and the interstate transportation of a weapon with the intent to commit a felony.

The attack, which occurred at the Washington Hilton, was thwarted only by the quick actions of a Secret Service agent whose life was saved by his bullet-proof vest. Prosecutors have laid out a chilling timeline of the suspect's movements, revealing that Allen traveled from California to Washington with a clear, premeditated intent to cause carnage.

Evidence submitted by the government includes photos of Allen posing with weapons and ammunition, as well as records showing he tracked live coverage of the event before sprinting through security with a raised shotgun.

While the President, Vice-President JD Vance, and other top officials were safely evacuated, the defense team is now attempting to distract from the gravity of the crime by demanding the disqualification of federal prosecutors.

As the case moves forward under Judge Trevor McFadden, the focus remains on the suspect's direct attempt to strike at the heart of the American government.

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donald-trumpassassination-attemptsecret-servicejusticepolitics

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