Story perspectives

Hilton shooting fuels bipartisan call for White House ballroom

4/29/2026

Summary

Story summary

31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen opened fire at the Washington Hilton dinner, injuring a Secret Service agent before capture.
Democratic Senator John Fetterman and U.S. President Donald Trump both urged support for a new White House ballroom, saying the shooting proves its necessity.
The Justice Department asked the National Trust for Historic Preservation to drop its lawsuit blocking the $400 million ballroom, which a judge halted pending congressional approval.

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Story summary

31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen opened fire at the Washington Hilton dinner, injuring a Secret Service agent before capture.
Democratic Senator John Fetterman and U.S. President Donald Trump both urged support for a new White House ballroom, saying the shooting proves its necessity.
The Justice Department asked the National Trust for Historic Preservation to drop its lawsuit blocking the $400 million ballroom, which a judge halted pending congressional approval.