Story perspectives

Arrested Shooter Targets Trump at WHCD, GOP Demands More Security

4/28/2026

Summary

Story summary

Cole Tomas Allen fired at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner at a Hilton hotel, targeting President Donald Trump, and was arrested.
He called himself a “Friendly Federal Assassin,” traveled from California by train, checked into the hotel days earlier, and carried a shotgun, a handgun and three knives.
Republican lawmakers, including Rep. Michael McCaul, urged expanding security perimeters at large venues and increasing Department of Homeland Security funding.

History

Historical Context

On September 5 1975, Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme tried to shoot President Gerald Ford in Sacramento, marking one of two failed attacks on him that year. The recent White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting attempt revives Rep. Michael McCaul’s call for tighter perimeters and additional DHS funding, echoing the security wake-up sparked by the 1975 incident.

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Story summary

Cole Tomas Allen fired at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner at a Hilton hotel, targeting President Donald Trump, and was arrested.
He called himself a “Friendly Federal Assassin,” traveled from California by train, checked into the hotel days earlier, and carried a shotgun, a handgun and three knives.
Republican lawmakers, including Rep. Michael McCaul, urged expanding security perimeters at large venues and increasing Department of Homeland Security funding.

1 / 2