Story perspectives

Man Charged with Attempted Trump Assassination at White House Dinner

4/28/2026

Summary

Story summary

Cole Tomas Allen was charged with attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump at the April 25, 2026 White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
Minutes before the attack, Allen emailed his family calling himself a “Friendly Federal Assassin” and listing grievances against the Trump administration.
He entered the Washington Hilton checkpoint armed with a shotgun, pistol and three knives.
A gunfight wounded a Secret Service officer whose vest stopped the bullet.

History

Historical Context

On September 5 1975 Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme pointed a Colt M1911 loaded with four rounds at President Gerald Ford in Sacramento; the gun failed to fire and the Secret Service seized her, prompting a review after a second attempt on Ford within 17 days. The April 25 2026 assault by Cole Tomas Allen at the Washington Hilton’s checkpoint revives those security concerns.

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Story summary

Cole Tomas Allen was charged with attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump at the April 25, 2026 White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
Minutes before the attack, Allen emailed his family calling himself a “Friendly Federal Assassin” and listing grievances against the Trump administration.
He entered the Washington Hilton checkpoint armed with a shotgun, pistol and three knives.
A gunfight wounded a Secret Service officer whose vest stopped the bullet.

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