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Cole Allen Pleads Not Guilty In Trump Assassination Attempt, Presses Bid To Disqualify Prosecutors
Cole Tomas Allen pleaded not guilty on Monday in federal court to a four-count indictment that includes attempted assassination of President Donald Trump over the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting at the Washington Hilton.[1]
Allen's lawyers filed a motion on May 7 asking a judge to disqualify U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche from the case.[2] The defense also seeks to remove the entire D.C. U.S. Attorney's Office, saying prosecutors were potential victims or witnesses because they were at the dinner; the court ordered the Justice Department to respond by June 22.[1] Allen appeared shackled in an orange jumpsuit at the arraignment and remains in custody as further proceedings are set for June 29.[1]
On Saturday, April 25, investigators say Cole Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, charged a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton as the dinner was under way, fired a shotgun near the ballroom and was detained by agents at the scene.[3] Law enforcement says Allen emailed a manifesto minutes before the attack that he signed "Friendly Federal Assassin" and that it listed Trump administration officials as prioritized targets.[4] An unsealed FBI affidavit and hotel security video released by prosecutors show Allen leaving a 10th-floor room, using an interior stairwell, sprinting past magnetometers and falling near a final checkpoint before agents restrained him.[5]
Officials say a Secret Service officer was struck in a ballistic vest during the confrontation and has since been released from the hospital; ballistics and shell-case evidence remain under review.[6] Early accounts emphasized a chaotic evacuation and uncertain motive; later reporting that unsealed the affidavit, the manifesto and surveillance footage reframed the episode as a premeditated, targeted attack on administration officials.
The mainstream summary frames the incident primarily as a straightforward assassination attempt, but some analyses suggest that the chaotic evacuation and subsequent narrative may have been manipulated for political purposes. Steve Sailer argues that inconsistencies in eyewitness accounts and video footage raise doubts about the official story, implying that the event could have been staged for political theater rather than being a genuine security breach. This perspective highlights a skepticism that is largely absent from the mainstream coverage, which treats the incident as an unambiguous attack without questioning the motivations behind its portrayal.
Moreover, while the mainstream summary mentions security lapses, it does not delve into the broader implications of the incident on political discourse. Commentators like Matt Goodwin assert that the attack reflects a dangerous trend of increasing intolerance from the political Left, suggesting that the rhetoric surrounding such violent incidents is often selectively scrutinized based on partisan lines. This framing contrasts sharply with the mainstream narrative, which tends to focus on the procedural aspects of the attack without addressing the underlying political tensions that may contribute to such violence.
Show source details & analysis (125 sources)
📌 Key Facts
- At the White House Correspondents' Dinner at the Washington Hilton on Saturday, April 25, 2026, what sounded like gunfire prompted Secret Service and other authorities to swarm the ballroom, President Donald Trump and dozens of top officials were evacuated, and the dinner was canceled and will be rescheduled (White House Correspondents' Dinner).
- The suspect was identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California — a Caltech graduate who worked part time as a tutor and amateur computer‑game developer, had checked into the Washington Hilton days before the event and reportedly traveled by train from Los Angeles to Washington beforehand (Cole Tomas Allen).
- Investigators say Allen emailed a manifesto‑style document minutes before the attack — signing it “Friendly Federal Assassin” and titled in filings as an “Apology and Explanation” — that ranked Trump administration officials as prioritized targets, and a relative who received the writings notified police (manifesto).
- Federal authorities filed an initial criminal complaint and, on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, a grand jury returned a four‑count indictment charging Allen with attempting to assassinate the president along with firearms and related assault counts (including discharge during a crime of violence and interstate transport of a firearm) (four‑count indictment).
- An unsealed FBI affidavit and security footage describe Allen leaving his 10th‑floor room, using an interior stairwell to reach the terrace level, sprinting past magnetometers toward a final checkpoint one floor above the ballroom, discharging a shotgun and then falling near the checkpoint before being restrained — details that have prompted internal Secret Service reviews of screening and perimeter procedures (FBI affidavit).
- A Secret Service officer was struck in a ballistic vest during the confrontation, was hospitalized and has since been released and is expected to recover; authorities continue to examine ballistics and shell‑casing evidence to determine precisely how the vest was hit (Secret Service officer).
- Defense lawyers filed a motion seeking to disqualify U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, Acting AG Todd Blanche and the D.C. U.S. Attorney's Office — arguing those prosecutors were present at the dinner and may be victims or witnesses — the court ordered a government response, and Allen pleaded not guilty at his federal arraignment on Monday, May 11, 2026 (motion to disqualify).
📊 Analysis & Commentary (14)
From BlueSky: "Trump" "staged"
"A skeptical BlueSky-sourced opinion arguing that the White House Correspondents' Dinner evacuation—where Trump was moved offstage after reported gunfire—was staged or politically exploited, noting timeline/footage inconsistencies and the role of alternative social media in spreading that interpretation."
‘Can this really be happening? Again?’
"The Playbook column reacts with exasperation to the shooting outside the White House Correspondents' Dinner — critiquing repeated security lapses and the poisonous political climate that helps normalize threats, and urging concrete accountability and improved protections rather than treating the episode as another isolated curiosity."
WSJ Opinion: Hits and Misses of the Week
"The WSJ 'Hits and Misses of the Week' page is unavailable (404); based on the site's listed popular headlines the missing WSJ roundup likely touched on the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting (the story about the suspect/evacuation), but the author's own position and arguments cannot be determined from the inaccessible page."
Trump Stands Tall Under Fire
"The WSJ opinion piece comments on the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting, arguing that Trump handled the incident with calm, presidential composure and that his response revealed his strongest leadership qualities amid what the author treats as another assassination attempt."
Trump is Right after Assassination Attempt- the Left IS More Intolerant - Here's the Evidence
"This opinion piece comments on the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting, arguing (in agreement with Trump) that the incident illustrates rising intolerance on the Left, condemns media double standards, and urges both political accountability and stricter event security (e.g., moving events to the White House ballroom)."
STEPHEN MOORE: I was there at the WHCD as celebration turned into chaos
"Stephen Moore provides a first‑person opinion of the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting, arguing that obvious security lapses (weak ticket/ID checks and exposed seating of top officials) amounted to a major breakdown that must be fixed, even as he praises the Secret Service’s rapid response."
When Rationalization Turns Deadly
"The WSJ commentary links the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting — accompanied by a manifesto justifying violence — to a broader cultural pattern of moral rationalizations (including journalists' excuses for 'microlooting'), arguing that tolerating such rationalizations normalizes lawbreaking and can ultimately enable deadly acts."
The Aftermath of the White House Correspondents' Dinner Shooting
"The WSJ Potomac Watch episode comments on the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting (and the related King Charles state visit), arguing the attack exposes troubling security gaps that require review and that the President's vow to hold the dinner again is a politically potent signal of resilience that must be balanced against real safety concerns."
Hooray for the Secret Service
"A WSJ opinion piece praising the Secret Service’s response to the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting: the author commends agents for averting an assassination, argues for backing and resourcing protective services, and pushes back against reflexive criticism — while citing news accounts (the unsealed FBI affidavit and reporting on Cole Tomas Allen) as the factual basis for the praise."
Can we please stop rationalizing political violence?
"The author is reacting to the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting coverage and social-media reaction, arguing that commentators and partisans must stop rationalizing or excusing political violence — contextualizing motives is fine, but presenting attacks as 'understandable' normalizes dangerously escalatory behavior and must be condemned outright."
📰 Source Timeline (125)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
May 11, 2026
5:52 PM
Lawyers for correspondents' dinner shooting suspect seek to disqualify Pirro, Blanche from case
New information:
- CBS reports on May 11, 2026, that Cole Allen pleaded not guilty to all charges that day in court, in the same proceeding where his lawyers are seeking to disqualify prosecutors.
- The CBS segment underscores that the defense bid targets not only U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche but also all prosecutors in the Washington, D.C., U.S. Attorney's Office.
5:10 PM
Man charged in White House correspondents' dinner attack pleads not guilty to assassination attempt
New information:
- On Monday, May 11, 2026, Cole Tomas Allen appeared for arraignment in federal court in Washington, D.C., handcuffed, shackled and wearing an orange jail uniform; his attorney entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf.
- U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden ordered prosecutors to file a written response to the defense recusal motion by May 22, 2026, and asked them to address specifically whether Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro qualify as victims in the case.
- Judge McFadden asked Allen’s lawyers to clarify the scope of their recusal request; defense counsel Eugene Ohm said they are likely to seek disqualification of Pirro’s entire U.S. Attorney’s Office, while acknowledging that trying to disqualify the entire Justice Department would be unlikely.
- Allen is scheduled to return to court on June 29, 2026, for further proceedings.
- Prosecutors told the court that Allen said he did not expect to survive the April 25, 2026 attack, a statement they cited in explaining why jail officials initially placed him on suicide watch.
- The article details defense complaints about Allen’s suicide-watch conditions, including confinement in a padded room with constant lighting, repeated strip searches and the use of restraints outside his cell, before jail officials removed him from suicide watch after several days.
- The piece reiterates that Allen faces an attempted-assassination charge plus counts of assaulting a federal officer with a deadly weapon and two additional firearms offenses, with a maximum sentence of life in prison on the attempted-assassination count alone.
3:24 PM
Correspondents' dinner shooting suspect pleads not guilty to all charges
New information:
- CBS video segment confirms that on Monday, May 11, 2026, Cole Allen formally pleaded not guilty to all charges related to the attack at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
- The segment frames the case explicitly as an attack on the White House Correspondents' Dinner, reinforcing the incident context for viewers on the day of arraignment.
3:08 PM
Man Charged With Assassination Attempt at Correspondents’ Dinner Pleads Not Guilty
New information:
- Article confirms that on Monday, May 11, 2026, Cole Allen appeared in federal court in Washington and entered a not-guilty plea to all four counts related to the April 25 White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting.
- It describes the plea hearing context at greater length, including how Allen responded in court and any procedural next steps set by the judge (e.g., future status or trial scheduling), beyond the previously reported filing of the plea.
- It provides additional narrative detail on the April 25 attack at the Washington Hilton and the security response during the Correspondents' Dinner, supplementing prior summaries.
2:08 PM
White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting suspect Cole Allen pleads not guilty
New information:
- On Monday, May 11, 2026, Cole Allen formally pleaded not guilty to all charges through his attorney at a federal court appearance in Washington, D.C.
- Allen appeared in an orange jumpsuit, shackled at wrists and feet, and faces counts including attempting to assassinate President Trump, assaulting a federal officer with a deadly weapon, and two firearms charges.
- Defense attorney Eugene Ohm told the court the team needs more information from prosecutors about whether Attorney General Todd Blanche and U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro might be cited as victims in the charging documents.
- The defense motion seeks to disqualify all prosecutors in the Washington, D.C., U.S. Attorney's Office, including Pirro, arguing she and others are potential victims or witnesses because they were in the ballroom during the attack and Pirro has publicly described herself as being in a "combat zone."
- The Justice Department was ordered to respond to the disqualification motion by June 22, 2026, after which Allen's legal team will have five days to reply.
2:05 PM
WHCA Dinner shooting suspect Cole Allen pleads not guilty, judge scoffs at defense’s power play
New information:
- On Monday, May 11, 2026, Cole Allen formally entered a not guilty plea in federal court in Washington, D.C. to four charges: attempted assassination of the president, discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence, transporting a firearm across state lines, and assaulting a federal officer with a deadly weapon.
- U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden responded to defense discussion about potentially trying to remove the entire Justice Department from the case by remarking, 'That would be quite a request.'
- Defense attorney Eugene Ohm told Judge McFadden in court on May 11 that the defense is likely to seek disqualification of Jeanine Pirro's entire U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia, while signaling it is unlikely to ask for the entire Department of Justice to be removed.
- The Fox News piece reiterates that U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro has said additional charges are possible in the case.
1:29 PM
Cole Allen pleads not guilty to attempting to assassinate President Trump
New information:
- On Monday, May 11, 2026, Cole Allen pleaded not guilty at his federal arraignment to all four counts in the indictment, including attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
- The article confirms that, in addition to the federal case, Allen faces assault and firearms charges brought by the District of Columbia prosecutors' office led by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro.
- Allen's motion to disqualify Pirro and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche argues both were present at the Washington Hilton during the incident, have made statements indicating they were witnesses, and that Trump and Pirro have had a well-documented relationship for over three decades.
- The Justice Department is relying in part on an 'Apology and Explanation' letter purportedly written by Allen, which lists reasons for his actions including a claim that he would no longer permit 'a pedophile, rapist, and traitor' to 'coat my hands with his crimes.'
May 08, 2026
8:44 PM
White House Correspondents' Dinner suspect seeks recusal of top DOJ officials
New information:
- PBS/Associated Press confirms the motion was filed late Thursday, May 7, 2026, and that the defense explicitly argues Blanche and Pirro are potential victims or witnesses because they were in the ballroom, heard gunfire, ducked under tables and were evacuated.
- The motion is directed to U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden, identified as a Trump appointee, and asks him to consider appointing a special prosecutor or otherwise disqualifying Blanche, Pirro and possibly other senior DOJ officials from direct involvement.
- Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is noted as a former personal attorney for President Trump who joined the Justice Department last year, while Pirro is described as a longtime friend of Trump.
- Pirro issued a new public statement responding to the filing, vowing to prosecute "antidemocratic acts of political violence" in Washington, D.C., and saying her office will answer the motion in its own brief.
- PBS/Associated Press specifies that Allen will be arraigned Monday, May 11, 2026 (relative to the article's May 8 publication) on the new indictment that includes an attempted‑assassination charge carrying a potential life sentence.
3:17 PM
WHCA Dinner shooting suspect Cole Allen targets DOJ in explosive bid to shake up case
New information:
- Fox News reports the disqualification filing is a nine-page motion submitted on Thursday, May 7, 2026, seeking to remove U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, other unnamed DOJ officials, and the entire U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia from prosecuting the case.
- The article details that both Pirro and Blanche were physically inside the Washington Hilton ballroom during the April 25, 2026 White House Correspondents' Association Dinner shooting, which defense lawyers cite as part of their conflict-of-interest argument.
- Defense attorneys explicitly argue that even the appearance of a conflict of interest should be sufficient under applicable law to disqualify Pirro, Blanche, and their offices.
- The motion highlights a specific X post by Pirro earlier in the week criticizing Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui's apology over Cole Allen's jail conditions, calling his treatment 'preferential' and prompting defense claims that Pirro's response was 'emotional,' 'inflammatory,' 'inappropriate,' and 'inaccurate.'
- The article reiterates prosecution allegations that Cole Allen ran toward a security checkpoint inside the Washington Hilton with a 12-gauge shotgun on April 25, 2026, discharged one round that struck a Secret Service agent's ballistic vest, and was fired upon five times by a Secret Service agent without being hit.
2:52 AM
Accused WHCD shooter seeks to disqualify Pirro, Blanche because they attended event
New information:
- On Thursday, May 7, 2026, Cole Allen's attorneys filed a motion asking the court to disqualify U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro and other senior Justice Department leaders, including Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, from prosecuting the case.
- The motion cites a remark by FBI Director Kash Patel at an April 27, 2026 press conference where he said of the shooting, 'This one hits a little differently. We were all there,' to argue that top DOJ officials are potential victims or witnesses.
- Allen's lawyers argue Pirro and Blanche are 'purported victims and witnesses' because prosecutors allege Allen targeted 'high-ranking government officials,' a category the defense says could include them, and because Pirro has publicly described herself as being 'in that combat zone' during CNN and other media appearances.
- The filing invokes internal Justice Department rules requiring employees to recuse from matters where they have conflicts of interest or close personal relationships, noting Pirro's longstanding friendship with President Trump.
- Allen has been charged with attempted assassination of the president, assaulting a federal officer with a deadly weapon, and two firearms counts, and as of May 7, 2026, he has not yet entered a plea.
- The article reiterates the government's account that on April 25, 2026, Allen allegedly sprinted through a security checkpoint one floor above the Correspondents' Dinner with a handgun, shotgun and knives, fired a shotgun round that struck an officer's protective vest, and was then taken into custody after the officer returned fire but did not hit him.
May 06, 2026
8:47 PM
Cole Allen's alleged Trump assassination attempt may have been driven by Iran war: intel report
New information:
- A preliminary Department of Homeland Security intelligence report, labeled a 'Critical Incident Note' and dated after the April 25, 2026 attack, concludes Cole Allen had 'multiple social and political grievances' and that the war in Iran 'may have contributed to his decision to conduct the attack.'
- The DHS report, first obtained by nonprofit Property of the People via a public records request and described by Reuters, cites Allen's social media posts about the Iran war in assessing his possible motives.
- DHS confirmed to Fox News Digital that it distributes 'Critical Incident Notes' to federal, state and local partners after significant incidents but declined to publicly discuss specific contents of this internal report.
- The article reiterates that Allen emailed a manifesto-style message to family and friends minutes before the April 25, 2026 attack, framing his actions as political and portraying himself as a savior of people he viewed as oppressed by the current administration.
May 05, 2026
9:51 PM
Man Accused of Attacking Press Gala Indicted on Four Charges
New information:
- Article confirms that on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, a federal grand jury formally returned a four-count indictment against Cole Tomas Allen for the April 25 Washington Hilton shooting tied to the White House Correspondents Dinner.
- The New York Times report provides additional narrative details on how the attack unfolded inside and around the hotel, including Allen's movements and law-enforcement response, beyond what earlier affidavits and broadcast reports described.
- The piece further clarifies prosecutors' theory of the case, emphasizing that the government is treating the episode as a premeditated attempt on President Trump's life rather than a more generalized act of violence at the event.
9:31 PM
Correspondents’ dinner suspect indicted, faces four felony charges
New information:
- On Tuesday, May 5, 2026, an MS NOW report details that a federal grand jury returned a three-page indictment charging Cole Tomas Allen with four felonies: attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump, assaulting a federal agent with a deadly weapon, transporting a firearm and ammunition in interstate commerce with intent to commit a felony, and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.
- The article specifies that the assault-on-a-federal-agent count is newly added compared with the earlier criminal complaint, confirming that Allen had previously been charged with three of the four offenses.
- Allen is scheduled to be arraigned before U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden on Monday morning following the May 5 indictment, and he remains in federal custody.
- The piece clarifies evolving government accounts of whether a Secret Service agent was shot: DOJ initially amended its filing to remove language saying the agent was shot, but on Thursday, April 30, 2026 Secret Service Director Sean Curran told Fox News the agent was shot in the chest by Allen and returned fire with five shots, and on Sunday, May 3, 2026 U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro told CNN that bullet fragments from Allen's gun were found in the officer's ballistic vest.
- Allen allegedly emailed family members shortly before the April 25, 2026 incident, outlining the actions he intended to take and signing the message 'Friendly Federal Assassin.'
- Allen's defense attorneys told the Washington Post they have not been provided evidence that Allen actually fired his weapon and say a muzzle flash from his gun is not visible on the publicly released video, while prosecutors told the Post they recovered what appears to be buckshot fired toward the injured Secret Service officer.
- The article notes that the new federal assault charge does not require prosecutors to prove that Allen's bullet struck the agent; under standard federal jury instructions, it can be satisfied by an intentional attempt or threat to inflict injury that causes a reasonable apprehension of immediate bodily harm.
7:49 PM
Cole Allen indicted by grand jury on four charges related to alleged Trump assassination attempt: sources
New information:
- On Tuesday, May 5, 2026, a federal grand jury formally indicted Cole Thomas Allen on four charges related to the April 25 White House Correspondents Dinner shooting in Washington, D.C.
- The indictment was presented to U.S. Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui.
- Three previously announced charges are attempting to assassinate the president of the United States, discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence, and transporting a firearm across state lines.
- A fourth charge newly included in the May 5 indictment is assaulting a federal officer with a deadly weapon.
April 29, 2026
3:39 PM
Investigators Offer More Details of Gunman of Gala Dinner Attack
New information:
- Article elaborates investigators’ reconstruction of Cole Tomas Allen’s movements inside the Washington Hilton on Saturday, April 25, 2026, including use of stairwells and elevator access immediately before the shooting.
- Investigators provide more granular detail on the suspect’s weapons loadout, including how the 12‑gauge shotgun, .38‑caliber pistol, and knives were concealed as he bypassed or exploited a final security checkpoint.
- Reporting adds new biographical and digital‑trail details about Allen’s preparation, including additional content from his manifesto, timing of emails to relatives, and previously unreported online postings that investigators say clarify motive and target selection.
- The piece offers more detail on the sequence of shots, distance from the president’s location, and the trajectory that struck the Secret Service officer who was shielded by a ballistic vest.
- Investigators describe specific hotel security-camera angles and timestamps they used to reconstruct Allen’s path from his room to the attack site, expanding on earlier broad references to surveillance footage in court filings.
3:05 PM
White House Correspondents’ Shooting Suspect Took Photo With Weapons Before Dinner
New information:
- On Wednesday, April 29, 2026, prosecutors filed new court documents stating that suspect Cole Allen planned the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting weeks in advance.
- The filing says Allen took a photo of himself with weapons before the Saturday, April 25, 2026 dinner, using it as part of his preparations.
- Prosecutors reiterate that Allen, 31, from California, ran past a security perimeter and fired a weapon inside the Washington Hilton while President Trump and administration officials were attending the dinner.
2:46 PM
DOJ seeks pretrial detention of shooting suspect Cole Allen, shares new photos
New information:
- On Wednesday, April 29, 2026, D.C. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro filed a memorandum asking the court to detain Cole Allen pending trial.
- The DOJ filing includes a newly disclosed selfie that Allen allegedly took around 8:03 p.m. on Saturday, April 25, 2026, in his hotel room, showing a shoulder holster and sheathed knife.
- The memorandum states that about 30 minutes after taking the photo, Allen allegedly sprinted past magnetometers and fired a shotgun blast before being restrained.
- Allen was charged Monday, April 27, 2026, in federal court with three counts, including attempting to assassinate the president and two firearms-related offenses.
- Prosecutors emphasize that Allen faces a potential maximum life sentence and argue that his actions were "premeditated, violent, and calculated to cause death," asserting no release conditions can reasonably assure community safety.
10:00 AM
Alleged Trump assassination plot: Analysis shows 1 in 5 left-wing posts cry hoax, admin shreds ‘moron’ claims
New information:
- Article cites a Washington Post analysis finding that in the immediate aftermath of the April 25, 2026 White House Correspondents' Dinner attack, roughly one in five posts by left‑wing and liberal influencers and politicians claimed the event was staged, a hoax or a false flag.
- Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D‑Texas, is identified as a prominent elected official who publicly called the incident 'fake' on social media.
- Hollywood director Morgan J. Freeman (not the actor) posted the word 'STAGED' in all caps 132 times in a single X post on Sunday, April 26, 2026, which drew about 58,000 likes, 9,400 shares, and 1.3 million views.
- Trump spokesman Davis Ingle is quoted responding to the hoax theories, saying, 'Anyone who thinks President Trump staged his own assassination attempts is a complete moron.'
- The article reiterates that Cole Allen, 31, is in federal custody and has been charged with attempting to assassinate the president of the United States, transporting a firearm across state lines and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, and confirms that the U.S. Attorney for D.C. has deemed the incident an attempted assassination.
April 28, 2026
11:46 PM
US Secret Service arrests suspect after barrier breach near White House during King Charles' visit
New information:
- On Tuesday morning, April 28, 2026, the U.S. Secret Service detained and arrested a person who allegedly bypassed a security barrier near The Ellipse by the White House.
- A Secret Service spokesperson said criminal charges are pending but did not release the suspect's identity or alleged motive.
- The incident occurred while King Charles III and Queen Camilla were in Washington, D.C., for a state visit, with the Secret Service stating that enhanced security postures remain in effect around the White House complex.
- It remains unclear whether any weapons were involved in the barrier breach.
10:54 PM
Gunshot at dinner may have struck officer's phone in pocket of bulletproof vest
New information:
- Article reports that on Saturday, April 25, 2026, the suspect’s shotgun blast likely struck a cellphone tucked inside the chest pocket of the Secret Service officer’s bulletproof vest, with ballistics tests pending to confirm.
- Investigators estimate 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen was running about 9 miles per hour as he sprinted past magnetometers on the Hilton’s second floor and discharged his shotgun.
- Officials say a total of six shots were fired: one shotgun blast by Allen and five rounds by the Secret Service officer who was hit in the vest; the officer was not seriously injured.
- Sources say Allen booked a room at the Washington Hilton and used an unguarded back stairwell from his 10th-floor room to approach the event area, allowing him to bypass the main security flow.
- The article describes that Allen tripped and fell near the top of a staircase one flight above the ballroom; agents then jumped on him, removed his weapons and shirt to check for explosives, and subdued him.
- U.S. Secret Service Director Sean Curran told CBS News that the open-to-the-public hotel and the ballroom were treated as two separate locations and asserted that the ballroom itself was secure.
- Officials are examining whether the shotgun’s recoil contributed to Allen’s fall and whether he fired just before, during, or just after he fell.
- The article reiterates that Allen traveled by train from California with two firearms and several knives and notes his federal charges, including attempted assassination of the president and transportation of a firearm and ammunition with intent to commit a felony, and that he appeared in court April 27 but has not yet entered a plea.
9:01 PM
Witnesses recount chaos at WHCA Dinner after shooting, Secret Service agents drew guns to evacuate Trump
New information:
- An eyewitness inside the Washington Hilton ballroom, Michael Duncan of the 'Ruthless' podcast, says that during the April 25, 2026 shooting, Secret Service agents "stacked up" with guns drawn and ran toward the stage to evacuate President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other officials.
- Duncan describes that as the evacuation progressed, he and others in the audience were left without any escort, underscoring that security resources were concentrated on the president, vice president and the dais.
- The article reiterates that suspect Cole Allen, 31, is accused of opening fire at the Washington Hilton over the weekend and faces three federal charges: attempted assassination of the president, transporting firearms across state lines, and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.
- The piece notes that this was the first time President Trump had attended the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner as president during either term, and that he vowed at an April 25, 2026 White House briefing-room appearance that the event will be rescheduled.
- U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C., Jeanine Pirro is quoted on Fox News saying prosecutors have a "solid case" against Cole Allen and asserting that "it’s very clear what his intent was… it was to kill the president."
5:30 PM
3 days after correspondents’ dinner, FBI still unsure who shot officer outside ballroom
New information:
- As of Tuesday, April 28, 2026, the FBI has not located the fragment that pierced a Secret Service officer's bullet-resistant vest and therefore cannot say with certainty that suspected gunman Cole Tomas Allen shot the officer or how the injury occurred.
- Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told reporters on Monday, April 27, 2026, that Allen's shotgun had discharged one shell and was not reloaded; investigators collected all firearms from Secret Service officers and agents at the scene and found no evidence anyone else fired.
- Hotel security video reviewed by investigators shows Allen descended about ten floors via a stairwell from his room to reach the final magnetometer checkpoint, where no officers or agents were posted in the stairwell because it was outside the screened perimeter.
- Secret Service analysis of the video estimated Allen was running roughly nine miles per hour toward the checkpoint before he stumbled and fell a few yards short, raising internal questions about whether he could have stopped and turned to fire at an officer behind him while moving at that speed.
- After Allen fell near the checkpoint above the ballroom, agents and officers piled on to subdue him, and some initially believed an officer had shot Allen because he was not immediately responsive.
- Allen's parents are now cooperating with the FBI, and investigators have learned Allen's brother had grown increasingly concerned in recent weeks about Allen's escalating disturbing rhetoric.
- On Monday, April 27, 2026, the Secret Service launched a 'Mission Assurance Review' led by its Office of Professional Responsibility to examine potential security lapses from the breach and to consider changes to protocols.
4:53 PM
Witness says D.C. shooting suspect "fell right at my feet"
New information:
- Air Force veteran and attendee Erin Thielman told CBS News she was just outside the Washington Hilton ballroom on Saturday, April 25, 2026, when suspect Cole Allen ran through a security checkpoint and then "fell right at my feet" before being arrested.
- Thielman said she ran down the stairs and manually began closing the ballroom doors, which she described as "wide open," because she knew "the line of succession to our country" was inside and did not know what security officials were aware of.
- At a Monday, April 27, 2026 Justice Department press conference, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said Allen "was not shot but fell to the ground and was promptly arrested," correcting earlier impressions that he had been tackled by security.
- Officials reiterated that Allen was carrying a shotgun, a pistol and multiple knives, and that a federal affidavit cites a document he allegedly emailed to family minutes before the shooting titled "Apology and explanation" that listed administration officials as prioritized targets.
- The article confirms Allen made his first court appearance on Monday, April 27, 2026, on charges of attempting to assassinate the president and two firearms-related counts, and that he did not enter a plea at that hearing.
3:00 PM
Questions about charges, FBI affidavit details from White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting
New information:
- CBS News segment on April 28, 2026 focuses on questions about the specific charges DOJ brought against Cole Tomas Allen in connection with the April 25 White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting.
- The report highlights additional detail from the FBI affidavit and related court documents beyond the basic timeline, raising issues about how prosecutors are structuring the attempted assassination and firearms counts.
- The piece underscores that DOJ charging decisions and affidavit language are under close public and media scrutiny only one day after Allen's first court appearance and detention order on April 27, 2026.
11:43 AM
WHCA dinner shooter charged. And, Charles III to address Congress
New information:
- NPR reports that Cole Allen emailed family and friends a manifesto outlining his reasoning for the attack minutes before leaving his hotel room on Saturday, April 25, 2026.
- The newsletter says the email stated he did not want to be represented by someone he called “a pedophile, rapist, and traitor,” a phrase NPR characterizes as presumably targeting President Trump.
- NPR adds that Allen’s manifesto listed administration officials as targets and ranked them from highest to lowest in the administration.
- The piece confirms Allen made his first public appearance in federal court on Monday, April 27, 2026, and that his next hearing is scheduled for Thursday, April 30, 2026.
- U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro is quoted saying Allen could face additional charges as the investigation progresses.
April 27, 2026
11:37 PM
Correspondents' dinner shooting suspect charged with trying to assassinate the president
New information:
- CBS reports that two days after the incident on Saturday night, April 25, 2026, suspect Cole Allen appeared in federal court on Monday, April 27, 2026, to face formal Department of Justice charges of attempted assassination of a president.
- The CBS segment confirms the DOJ has formally charged Allen specifically with attempted assassination of a president, aligning the top count with the public description used in court.
- The report specifies that Allen "attempted to charge into" the White House Correspondents' Dinner with a gun, reinforcing that he tried to force his way into the event itself before being stopped.
10:55 PM
Accused Correspondents' Dinner gunman charged with attempted assassination of Trump
New information:
- PBS segment confirms that as of Monday, April 27, 2026, the suspect has been formally charged with attempted assassination of President Trump and additional federal weapons charges, with a potential maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted.
- The article characterizes the incident as the suspect attempting to storm a press gala in Washington, D.C., when the shooting occurred, aligning with prior accounts of the White House Correspondents' Dinner at the Washington Hilton.
- PBS White House correspondent Liz Landers, who was inside the event, provides an on-the-ground account as part of this report, reinforcing the contemporaneous nature and perceived severity of the attack.
10:45 PM
Fact-checking misinformation about the Correspondents' Dinner shooting
New information:
- As of early afternoon Sunday, April 26, 2026, authorities had not yet officially identified the suspect, though multiple outlets, citing unnamed government sources, named him as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, California.
- A person taken into police custody is expected to be arraigned Monday, April 27, 2026, on charges of assault of a federal officer and discharging a firearm, with additional charges possible.
- On April 26, 2026, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said on NBC's 'Meet the Press' that the suspect traveled by train from Los Angeles to Chicago and then to Washington, D.C., and that he was staying at the Washington Hilton where the event took place.
- Blanche stated officials believe the April 25 shooting 'was targeting administration officials' and that it appears the suspect set out to target people who work in the administration, likely including the president, while stressing the investigation is preliminary.
- CNN's Kaitlan Collins initially posted on X that a Secret Service agent told her the suspect was 'confirmed dead' but corrected this within about 10 minutes, later posting that Trump said the shooter had been apprehended.
- The article documents that Trump told Fox News the shooter had a 'manifesto' that showed he is a 'sick man' who 'hates Christians,' adding detail to Trump's public characterization of the writings.
- The piece clarifies that White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt's pre‑event comment that there would be 'some shots fired tonight in the room' referred to Trump's planned speech, not foreknowledge of an actual shooting.
10:06 PM
Correspondents' dinner shooting suspect charged with attempting to assassinate president
New information:
- CBS reports that on Monday, April 27, 2026, the suspected gunman in the April 25 White House Correspondents' Dinner attack appeared in court and was formally charged with attempted assassination of the U.S. president.
- The CBS piece emphasizes that this attempted-assassination count is a new charge added at the Monday court appearance, on top of earlier firearms and related counts previously reported.
9:59 PM
Charges Against Assassination Suspect Based on Shotgun Shell and a Screed
New information:
- The New York Times article details prosecutors' theory of the case against Cole Tomas Allen, emphasizing that the attempted-assassination charge rests heavily on a single spent shotgun shell found near the Washington Hilton and on a lengthy anti-Trump screed or manifesto attributed to Allen.
- It describes how investigators link Allen to the shotgun shell via ballistics and surveillance, while also noting there is no evidence he ever got close enough to fire at President Trump inside the ballroom on April 25, 2026.
- The article adds granular description of the manifesto/screed's content and tone, reporting that it lays out Allen's grievances against Trump and his administration and that it was emailed or otherwise transmitted shortly before the incident.
- It notes defense lawyers are already signaling they may challenge elements of the government's case, including how strongly the physical evidence and writings show intent to kill the president versus a broader political outburst.
- The story explains that authorities have not yet recovered any direct physical evidence showing Allen fired a weapon inside the hotel, and that much of the current probable-cause narrative hinges on circumstantial links and his writings.
9:47 PM
Shooting Suspect Faces Attempted Assassination Charge
New information:
- The Wall Street Journal notes that Cole Allen, 31, was a guest at the White House Correspondents' Dinner when he allegedly opened fire outside the Washington hotel on Saturday, April 25, 2026.
- Allen's federal public defenders emphasized in court that he has no prior arrests or convictions on his record.
- Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said authorities are still examining who fired the shot that wounded a Secret Service officer during the incident.
- White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt used the episode to call on Congress to fund the Department of Homeland Security and urged Democrats to tone down political rhetoric.
- The article situates the incident within a broader trend, citing data that American antigovernment violence reached a 30-year high last year.
9:18 PM
Read the criminal complaint filed against Trump assassination suspect
New information:
- The article links and publishes the full text of the arrest warrant, criminal complaint, and supporting affidavit against Cole Tomas Allen filed on Monday, April 27, 2026.
- It reiterates that Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, is charged with three federal offenses: attempted assassination of the President of the United States, transportation of a firearm and ammunition in interstate commerce with intent to commit a felony, and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence.
- The complaint and affidavit specify that Allen allegedly planned the attack for weeks, traveling from California to Washington with firearms before the April 25, 2026 shooting outside the Washington Hilton ballroom.
- The affidavit alleges Allen prescheduled an email manifesto that was sent to family members and a former employer detailing his attack plans shortly before the shooting.
- Attorney General Todd Blanche told NBC's 'Meet the Press' that the gunman appeared to be targeting members of the Trump administration, 'likely including the president.'
- The article notes that Allen appeared in federal court in Washington, D.C., for an initial appearance on Monday, April 27, 2026, less than 48 hours after the alleged shooting.
8:55 PM
Ohio teacher fired after video appearing to lament Trump surviving WHCA Dinner shooting
New information:
- On Monday, April 27, 2026, BrightPath, an early learning and childcare provider in Cincinnati, Ohio, fired teacher Corrine Baum after a TikTok video in which she appeared to lament that President Donald Trump was not killed in the April 25 White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting.
- In the now-removed video, Baum said she woke up to "that news, but not that news" in apparent reference to the shooting outcome and added that people should pay attention to what "they're trying to actually distract us from."
- A BrightPath spokesperson gave an on-the-record statement to Fox News Digital saying the organization "does not tolerate and explicitly condemns any calls for violence" and that Baum's online comments were "deeply inconsistent" with company values, confirming her termination.
- Local reporting cited in the article said Baum was instructing young students at BrightPath's Bridgetown Child Care Center as of Sunday, April 26, 2026.
8:39 PM
Details on initial charges against correspondents' dinner shooting suspect
New information:
- CBS News reports that the suspect in the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting has been charged with attempting to assassinate President Trump and faces two additional firearms-related counts.
- The CBS segment, aired Monday, April 27, 2026, characterizes these as the suspect's initial set of federal charges in the case.
8:25 PM
Court document reveals new details about correspondents' dinner shooting
New information:
- On Monday, April 27, 2026, a federal criminal complaint and seven-page FBI affidavit in Cole Allen's case were unsealed, detailing his movements and weapons purchases.
- The complaint charges Allen with attempting to assassinate the president, discharging a firearm during a violent crime, and transporting a firearm in interstate commerce with intent to commit a felony.
- According to the affidavit, Allen reserved a room at the Washington Hilton on April 6, 2026, traveled by train from Los Angeles starting April 21, arrived in Washington on April 24 around 1 p.m., and checked into the hotel.
- Investigators say that at approximately 8:40 p.m. on Saturday, April 25, Allen ran through a magnetometer holding a long gun at a security checkpoint when shots were fired and Secret Service Officer V.G. was struck once in the chest while wearing a ballistic vest.
- The affidavit states Officer V.G. drew his weapon and fired multiple times at Allen, who fell and suffered minor injuries but was not shot; Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said law enforcement appears to have fired five shots and officials are still determining which round hit the officer.
- Agents say Allen had a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun and a Rock Island Armory 1911 .38 caliber pistol at arrest, purchased from California dealers in October 2023 (pistol) and August 2025 (shotgun).
- Shortly before about 8:40 p.m. on April 25, a scheduled email described as a "manifesto" was sent from Allen to family and a former employer with an attached file titled "Apology and Explanation," and he signed it "Cole 'coldForce' 'Friendly Federal Assassin' Allen."
- The FBI reports finding additional writings at Allen's home in Torrance, California, and in his 10th-floor hotel room at the Washington Hilton, though their specific contents are not disclosed in the affidavit.
- The affidavit notes that CBS and C‑SPAN footage show initial shots around 8:34 p.m., and confirms the Secret Service officer has since been released from the hospital.
7:59 PM
Watch: DOJ gives update on charges against correspondents' dinner suspect | Special Report
New information:
- On Monday, April 27, 2026, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, FBI Director Kash Patel and U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro held a televised news conference to brief reporters on the initial federal charges against the suspect in Saturday night's White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting.
- The DOJ and FBI characterized Monday's filing as the 'initial' set of charges, indicating that additional counts or superseding indictments may follow as the investigation develops.
- CBS News carried the briefing as a special report anchored by Tony Dokoupil, underscoring that DOJ is treating the case as a major, nationally significant prosecution and is providing on-the-record updates at the Cabinet and bureau-director level.
7:18 PM
WATCH LIVE: Blanche, Patel and Pirro announce federal charges against accused Trump dinner gunman
New information:
- On Monday, April 27, 2026, Cole Tomas Allen was formally charged in Washington federal court with attempted assassination of President Donald Trump plus two firearms offenses and was ordered detained pending further hearings.
- Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, appeared in court but did not enter a plea; his attorney Tezira Abe requested a detention hearing and highlighted that Allen has no prior criminal record.
- Prosecutors have not publicly stated a motive, but investigators are reviewing a message that authorities say Allen sent to family minutes before the attack in which he called himself a "Friendly Federal Assassin," repeatedly referenced President Trump without naming him, and voiced grievances over Trump administration actions.
- Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said Allen is believed to have traveled by train from California to Chicago and then to Washington, D.C., where he checked into the Washington Hilton, the hotel hosting the White House Correspondents' Association dinner, ahead of the April 25, 2026 shooting.
- Blanche told NBC's "Meet the Press" that "it does appear that he did in fact set out to target folks who work in the administration, likely including the president," characterizing investigators' current view of Allen's intent.
- Authorities say video posted by President Trump shows the suspect, allegedly armed with guns and knives, running past a security barricade as Secret Service agents move toward him; a Secret Service officer was shot in a bullet-resistant vest and is expected to recover.
- Court and public-records reporting describe Allen as a highly educated tutor and amateur video game developer who worked part-time for about six years at a college admissions and test-preparation firm.
7:15 PM
Here's a look inside security at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner
New information:
- NPR provides a detailed timeline of the April 25, 2026 shooting as experienced inside the Washington Hilton ballroom, noting that gunfire was heard around 8:30 p.m. while wait staff were clearing salad plates.
- The article specifies that the gunman ran through a security checkpoint on the floor above the ballroom and was heading for the stairway down to the ballroom when he was tackled, confirming he never reached the room itself.
- Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, in an April 27, 2026 DOJ press conference, publicly defended the security response, stating the shooter was "a floor above the ballroom with hundreds of federal agents between him and the president" and insisting "law enforcement did not fail."
- A senior White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said President Trump believes the Secret Service did an "excellent job" in both neutralizing the shooter and moving the President, First Lady, Vice President, and cabinet to safety.
- The article reports that White House chief of staff Susie Wiles will convene a meeting this week with top officials from DHS, the Secret Service, and White House operations to review current presidential security processes and procedures.
- The piece explains the Washington Hilton's security-oriented design, including a special presidential entrance and a dedicated holding room behind the stage with a presidential seal on the floor, features added after the 1981 Reagan shooting.
6:48 PM
Cole Allen charged in Trump assassination attempt in first court appearance after WHCA Dinner shooting
New information:
- On Monday, April 27, 2026, Cole Allen made his initial appearance in federal court in Washington, D.C., wearing a blue prison jumpsuit and hearing the charges against him.
- The judge scheduled a detention hearing for April 30, 2026, and a preliminary hearing for May 11, 2026; Allen has not yet entered a plea and remains in custody.
- The article reiterates that Allen allegedly traveled by train from Torrance, California, to Washington, D.C., with a stop in Chicago, and checked into the Washington Hilton one day before the April 25, 2026 White House Correspondents' Dinner.
- The piece recounts that within about 30 minutes of the gala starting, Allen allegedly stormed the hotel lobby armed with a shotgun, handgun, and knives, breached security barricades one floor above the International Ballroom, and was tackled after a Secret Service agent was struck in a ballistic vest.
- The article details that Allen allegedly emailed or sent a written manifesto to family members shortly before the shooting, outlining his intent to target President Trump and Cabinet officials; his brother contacted New London, Connecticut, police at 10:49 p.m. on April 25 to report the manifesto, and local police then alerted federal authorities.
6:31 PM
Correspondents' Dinner suspect charged with attempted assassination of Trump
New information:
- Axios reports that on Monday, April 27, 2026, federal prosecutors formally charged Cole Tomas Allen with attempted assassination of President Trump in connection with the April 25 White House Correspondents' Dinner attack.
- The Axios piece emphasizes the specific attempted-assassination count as the lead charge and notes that the filing converts what began as an active-shooter investigation into a formal assassination case under federal law.
6:08 PM
Suspect in correspondents’ dinner shooting charged with attempting to assassinate Trump
New information:
- On Monday, April 27, 2026, Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, made his initial appearance in federal court in Washington, D.C.
- Allen has been formally charged with three federal offenses: attempted assassination of the president, transportation of a firearm and ammunition in interstate commerce with intent to commit a felony, and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence.
- Prosecutors said Allen rushed a Secret Service checkpoint at the Washington Hilton on Saturday, April 25, 2026, armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives.
- A Secret Service officer was shot during the incident but was protected by a ballistic vest and has already been discharged from the hospital.
- U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro stated Saturday night that Allen is likely to face "many more charges" beyond the three already filed.
- Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said Sunday that Allen "was targeting administration officials" and that the president was likely among those targets.
- Investigators believe Allen traveled by train from Los Angeles to Chicago and then from Chicago to Washington; two of his firearms were bought legally in the past couple of years.
- Blanche said investigators believe Allen was staying as a guest at the Washington Hilton and that he acted alone.
- The article confirms biographical details including a Caltech graduation record in 2017 for a person with the same name and past employment as a test-prep teacher, and cites pre-attack writings that prioritized administration officials as targets.
5:32 PM
Preservationists won't drop lawsuit against Trump's $400M White House ballroom after DOJ request
New information:
- On Monday, April 27, 2026, the National Trust for Historic Preservation formally refused a Department of Justice request to withdraw its lawsuit against President Trump’s planned $400 million White House ballroom.
- Trust attorney Gregory Craig wrote DOJ that the "Constitution and multiple federal statutes" require explicit congressional authorization for a White House ballroom and that Congress has not provided it, so Saturday’s April 25 shooting does not change the legal issues.
- Top Justice Department officials told the Trust the government would ask a court to dismiss the lawsuit "in light of last night’s extraordinary events" if the Trust did not drop it voluntarily.
- The Trust’s lawsuit, filed in December 2025, followed demolition of the East Wing to make way for the ballroom, which Trump says will hold 999 people and be funded by private donations, with public money paying for a below‑ground bunker and security upgrades.
- A federal appeals court has allowed Trump to continue the project while litigation proceeds, issuing its order the day after a lower‑court judge blocked above‑ground construction and scheduling a June 5, 2026 hearing to review the case.
5:25 PM
Trump reacts to alleged gunman's "manifesto," and more interview highlights
New information:
- On Sunday, April 26, 2026, President Trump taped a '60 Minutes' interview with CBS's Norah O'Donnell describing his experience during the April 25 White House Correspondents' Dinner attack and reacting to the suspect's writings.
- Trump confirmed he has read Cole Allen's emailed 'manifesto' and publicly characterized Allen as 'a sick person,' while angrily denying being a 'rapist' or 'pedophile' in response to language quoted from the manifesto.
- The article details that Allen's manifesto, emailed to family shortly before the attack, stated he planned to target 'administration officials ... prioritized from highest-ranking to lowest' and referred to 'a pedophile, rapist, and traitor' whose crimes he would no longer 'permit' to coat his hands.
- Trump said he 'wasn't worried' during the attack because 'we live in a crazy world,' and described the Secret Service taking about 10 seconds to surround him and roughly 20 seconds to move him off stage at the Washington Hilton.
- Trump recounted that he initially resisted being moved because he wanted to see what was happening, and said that when the first loud sounds occurred, he and First Lady Melania Trump realized 'that was more of a bullet than it was a tray.'
- The interview provides Trump’s description of the first lady’s visible distress in footage from the moment of the attack, noting she 'looked very upset about what just took place.'
5:01 PM
WATCH LIVE: White House holds briefing as accused Correspondents' Dinner attacker faces charges
New information:
- On Monday, April 27, 2026, accused gunman Cole Tomas Allen is due in federal court in Washington to face charges stemming from the April 25 attack at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
- Authorities say Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, will be charged with offenses including assault on a federal officer and using a firearm during a crime of violence; formal charging documents were not yet public at the time of the report.
- Investigators say a Secret Service officer wearing a bullet-resistant vest was shot in the vest during the incident but is expected to recover.
- Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said Allen is believed to have traveled by train from California to Chicago and then to Washington, D.C., where he checked into the hotel hosting the gala dinner before the attack.
- Prosecutors are examining a message that authorities say Allen sent to family minutes before the attack in which he called himself a "Friendly Federal Assassin," referred repeatedly to President Trump without naming him, and cited grievances over various Trump administration actions.
- AP reporting describes Allen as a highly educated tutor and amateur video game developer who worked part-time for about six years at a college admissions counseling and test-preparation company.
- The White House scheduled a briefing for 1 p.m. EDT on April 27, 2026, as Allen's initial court appearance proceeds.
4:33 PM
Fetterman breaks with Democrats after shooting scare, backs Trump on major White House project
New information:
- On Saturday, April 25, 2026, Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., was present "front and center" at the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting and, in an April 27 post on X, urged critics to "drop the TDS" and "build the White House ballroom" to host events that involve the presidential line of succession.
- The article reports that construction is already under way on a $400 million, privately funded White House ballroom but that the project is currently slowed by a lawsuit from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
- Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate of DOJ's Civil Division sent a letter on Sunday, April 26, 2026, urging the National Trust for Historic Preservation to drop its lawsuit, calling it "frivolous" and arguing that it "puts the lives of the president, his family, and his staff at grave risk" in light of what DOJ characterizes as an assassination attempt at the Washington Hilton.
- Shumate's letter, shared publicly by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, asserts that the April 25 attack "proves" the Washington Hilton venue is "demonstrably unsafe" for the president because its size creates extraordinary security challenges and that a dedicated White House ballroom is "essential" for the safety of the president, family, cabinet and staff.
- The article notes that conservative attendee Raquel Debono told Fox News Digital that arguing about the ballroom is a "ridiculous distraction" from the "security failures" that allowed the suspect to get into what should have been the most heavily secured event in America.
3:52 PM
Inside the White House Correspondents' Dinner when shots rang out
New information:
- CBS in-room accounts specify that the gunman charged a security checkpoint outside the Washington Hilton ballroom while the White House Correspondents' Dinner was underway on Saturday, April 25, 2026.
- White House Correspondents Association president and CBS reporter Weijia Jiang describes being seated next to President Trump on the dais, seeing armed agents sprint toward the stage, hearing commands of "down, down, down, get down," then crawling on hands and knees as the president and others were evacuated behind the stage.
- Chief White House correspondent Nancy Cordes recounts agents running down the center of the ballroom, ordering attendees under their tables during the salad course, and Cabinet members and top officials being pulled from the room while guests remained sheltered below table level.
- Senior correspondent Ed O'Keefe reports hearing a loud noise at the back of the room that triggered a "huge rush" of security, notes that many political officials immediately dropped to the floor as if trained for such scenarios, and recounts a detail where a security agent said "I've got Tiger" as they removed House Majority Leader Steve Scalise.
- Chief Washington correspondent Major Garrett, seated near the dais, describes not hearing gunfire but hearing "cascading sounds" of plates falling and furniture being shoved aside as Secret Service rapidly moved through the ballroom, ordering those at his table under the table and initially holding officials there until the president was secure.
- The article clarifies that many inside the ballroom did not initially know whether the suspect had been detained or whether a continuing threat existed, underscoring the confusion and shelter-in-place conditions inside the below-ground, windowless space.
3:39 PM
FBI says it knows how shooting suspect slipped through Trump event security, shares when info will be released
New information:
- On Monday, April 27, 2026, FBI Director Kash Patel said the FBI now knows when and how suspect Cole Thomas Allen arrived at the Washington Hilton, moved through the hotel, and "was able to get through security undetected."
- Patel said he received a full briefing from the FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit on Sunday morning, April 26, 2026, synthesizing Allen’s emails, social media, witness interviews, and contacts with family, friends, and neighbors to outline his mindset and intent.
- Patel stated that key findings about Allen’s background, movements, firearms and ballistics will be detailed in a criminal complaint and presented publicly at a joint press conference with Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche later on Monday, April 27, 2026, once a federal magistrate signs the complaint.
- The FBI evidence response teams were described as having arrived on scene quickly enough that Patel expects to be able to present "almost exactly what happened" within about 36 hours of the April 25 shooting.
- Pressed on whether Allen had been known or profiled before the attack, Patel said those questions have been answered but declined to disclose details ahead of the complaint and magistrate review, citing DOJ process constraints.
3:24 PM
Questions raised over security for White House Correspondents' Dinner
New information:
- CBS News national security analyst and attendee Aaron MacLean says his ID was never checked at any point on the evening of Saturday, April 25, 2026, and that he entered the Washington Hilton by showing only a screenshot of his invitation.
- MacLean describes visible Secret Service agents inside the ballroom as 'not very close to the president' and estimates it took roughly 10 seconds for anyone to protect President Trump and about 20 seconds to get him off the stage once shots were fired on April 25, 2026.
- MacLean says it took 'a full two minutes or so' after shots were fired before anyone came to escort Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth from the room, even as Hegseth was actively assessing the situation.
- MacLean criticizes the response and procedures, arguing that the attack 'renews questions over training and procedures for the Secret Service' and warning that the outcome could have been different if 'four or five very serious people' had attacked instead of 'one unserious person.'
- The article reports that, according to authorities, suspect Cole Thomas Allen bypassed some heavily monitored parts of the hotel by using an interior stairwell while staying at the Washington Hilton ahead of the April 25 dinner.
- Secret Service Deputy Director Matthew Quinn issued a public statement over the weekend stating that the attacker 'underestimated the protective capabilities of the U.S. Secret Service and was stopped at first contact,' describing him as a 'coward' who attempted to 'create a national tragedy.'
2:56 PM
Republicans rush to green light White House ballroom following third Trump assassination scare
New information:
- On Monday, April 27, 2026, Sen. Tim Sheehy, R-Mont., said he will move to fast-track a bill in the Senate to give congressional approval for President Trump's proposed White House ballroom.
- Reps. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., and Randy Fine, R-Fla., also plan to introduce House legislation to explicitly authorize construction of the ballroom.
- The proposed structure is described as a 90,000-square-foot, $400 million ballroom complex being built where the East Wing once stood, and a federal court in March ordered construction halted without congressional approval.
- A subsequent appeal allowed construction to continue below ground for what Trump characterized as a 'shed' for a military complex, but above-ground work remains blocked absent congressional action.
- Trump said at a news conference on Saturday, April 25, 2026, after the Washington Hilton shooting that 'we need the ballroom' and claimed 'Secret Service' and 'the military' are demanding it as a secure venue.
2:41 PM
Correspondents' dinner shooting suspect due in court as investigation continues
New information:
- Article states that Cole Allen, 31, is scheduled to appear in federal court in Washington, D.C., on Monday, April 27, 2026, for his first federal court appearance.
- U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said Saturday night that Allen will be charged with using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon, and that additional charges are expected.
- CBS News reports it has obtained a copy of a manifesto written by Allen in which he said he was targeting administration officials.
- Law enforcement sources told CBS that Allen was a guest at the Washington Hilton and was seen on security footage leaving a 10th‑floor room dressed in black and carrying a shotgun, a handgun, and several knives in a black bag.
- Investigators say Allen used an interior stairwell to run down about 10 flights, avoiding heavily monitored public areas, and then emerged on the terrace level just yards from a primary access point to the ballroom foyer and red carpet.
- Secret Service Uniformed Division officers confronted and tackled Allen moments after he emerged onto the terrace level, then removed his dark clothing and searched his bag to check for additional weapons or explosives.
- The article notes that President Trump told “60 Minutes” in an interview airing Sunday, April 26, 2026, that he “wasn't worried” during the incident and said, “we live in a crazy world.”
- A senior White House official says President Trump is publicly standing by the Secret Service response while directing a review of security procedures ahead of upcoming events, and Chief of Staff Susie Wiles will convene a meeting early in the week to assess protocols.
- The piece reiterates that King Charles III and Queen Camilla are still scheduled to arrive at the White House on Monday, April 27, 2026, at about 4:15 p.m. after a post‑incident security review.
2:05 PM
Accused attacker at White House Correspondents' Dinner is a tutor and computer engineer from California
New information:
- The suspect is identified in greater biographical detail as a highly educated tutor and amateur video game developer from Torrance, California, who worked part-time for about six years at a college admissions counseling and test-prep company.
- In a message sent to family members minutes before the April 25, 2026 attack, Allen described himself as a "Friendly Federal Assassin" and wrote more than 1,000 words mixing political grievances against Trump-era government actions, apologies, religious justifications, and farewells.
- Law enforcement officials told the Associated Press that Allen legally purchased a .38-caliber semiautomatic pistol in October 2023 and a 12-gauge shotgun in 2025, and a search of state and federal court databases showed no prior criminal charges.
- A defunct Bluesky account using Allen's moniker had reposted criticism of President Trump and commentary about members of the media who attend the correspondents' dinner, and related social accounts have since been taken offline.
- Voter registration and public records tie Allen’s address to his parents’ home in Torrance, California, where neighbors described him riding a blue scooter; AP reporters visited the home on Sunday, April 26, 2026, but no one answered the door.
1:50 PM
What we know about Cole Allen, suspect in White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting
New information:
- CBS News reports that, as of Monday, April 27, 2026, "more details are emerging" about Cole Allen's alleged plans to target Trump administration officials at the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington, D.C., on Saturday night, April 25.
- The CBS segment frames the development as the first fuller public description of Allen's alleged targeting plans, beyond the initial announcement of his arrest and charges.
- The piece confirms that federal investigators now treat the incident as an attempted targeted attack on Trump administration officials present at the dinner, rather than a random shooting.
1:22 PM
What's known about the suspect in the Correspondents' Dinner shooting and his movements
New information:
- CBS reports that investigators say suspect Cole Allen was armed with both guns and knives during the April 25, 2026 attack at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
- The CBS segment says Allen sent an email to family members just prior to the attack, providing investigators with additional insight into his movements and pre-attack communications.
- The piece reiterates that Allen is set to be arraigned in federal court on Monday, April 27, 2026, and frames the new details around that scheduled appearance.
12:23 PM
How the shooting and response at the White House Correspondents' Dinner unfolded
New information:
- CBS News segment reconstructs the timeline of the April 25, 2026 shooting outside the Washington Hilton during the White House Correspondents' Dinner, describing how the suspect approached, evaded outer security, and reached a final checkpoint before being stopped.
- The report emphasizes the sequence of security responses, including how quickly armed agents reacted after the first shot and how principals were moved as the incident unfolded.
- The piece highlights that investigators are now focusing closely on specific security gaps the suspect exploited to get as close as he did to the event perimeter.
12:11 PM
Alleged Correspondents' Dinner shooter to appear in court. And, Charles III visits U.S.
New information:
- NPR confirms the suspect's identity as 31-year-old Cole Allen through two people familiar with the investigation who are not authorized to speak publicly, even though police have not formally identified him.
- The article specifies that Allen is scheduled to make his first court appearance on Monday, April 27, 2026, in Washington, D.C.
- NPR reports that one Secret Service agent was shot in the protective vest and was not seriously injured during the April 25, 2026 incident at the Washington Hilton.
- A White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told NPR that Allen's brother contacted law enforcement a few minutes before the incident about a letter Allen had sent to family members; Allen's sister told authorities he had mentioned a plan to "do something to address issues in today's world."
- The article notes President Trump publicly said after the shooting that he does not believe Allen's motive could be the war with Iran, and that potential U.S.-Iran peace talks remain on hold.
10:00 AM
King Charles and Queen Camilla to visit Trump at White House in first US trip as British monarchs
New information:
- On Sunday, April 26, 2026, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson confirmed to Fox News Digital that King Charles and Queen Camilla's state visit to the United States will proceed as planned despite the April 25 shooting near the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
- The spokesperson said that, acting on advice of government officials on both sides of the Atlantic, "we can confirm the State Visit by Their Majesties will proceed as planned," and thanked those who worked quickly to keep the visit on track.
- A palace source said Charles and Camilla reached out privately to President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump to express sympathies to those affected by the shooting and gratitude to security services who prevented further injury.
- The article specifies that the King and Queen will arrive in Washington, D.C., on Monday, April 27, 2026, for private tea with President Trump and the First Lady at the White House, followed by a garden party, a ceremonial military review, a bilateral meeting between Trump and the King, and a separate meeting between the Queen and First Lady.
- Buckingham Palace and the U.K. Embassy say the four-day itinerary includes Washington, D.C., New York, and Virginia and is explicitly tied to commemorating the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence.
- The U.K. Embassy confirms that King Charles, accompanied by Queen Camilla, will deliver an address to a joint meeting of Congress, only the second such address by a British monarch after Queen Elizabeth II in 1991, before returning to the White House for a state dinner hosted by President Trump and the First Lady.
10:00 AM
Suspect in WH Correspondents' Dinner shooting to be arraigned in federal court
New information:
- The suspected gunman, identified as 31‑year‑old Cole Thomas Allen of Torrance, California, is scheduled to be arraigned in federal court in Washington, D.C., on Monday, April 27, 2026.
- U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said Allen will be charged with using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon, and she expects additional charges to be filed at Monday's arraignment.
- Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told "Face the Nation" on Sunday, April 26, 2026, that investigators believe Allen was targeting Trump administration officials.
- Investigators recovered an alleged written "manifesto" attributed to Allen in which he says he planned the attack because he did not want the administration's "crimes" to "coat [his] hands" and described plans to target administration officials "prioritized from highest‑ranking to lowest."
- Authorities reiterated that the Secret Service agent hit during the April 25, 2026 shooting was protected by a bulletproof vest and has been released from the hospital after treatment.
10:00 AM
Ro Khanna says DHS must be funded after pressed on WHCD shooting fallout
New information:
- On Sunday, April 26, 2026, Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., told NBC's 'Meet the Press' that Congress should maintain full funding for the Department of Homeland Security while opposing additional ICE spending for raids.
- Khanna said, 'We just don't want to fund ICE agents for raids against American citizens and immigrants in ways that break the law,' drawing a distinction between DHS as a whole and ICE enforcement.
- Khanna called the April 25, 2026 White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting 'absolutely horrific,' praised the Secret Service agent who was shot, and said he hopes the agent makes a full recovery.
- Khanna proposed creating a bipartisan national commission on political violence to examine social media, mental health, and political rhetoric and to recommend steps to 'bring the temperature down.'
- He said he has confidence the Secret Service and FBI will conduct a thorough investigation but suggested that security protocols and metal-detector placement for major Washington events may need comprehensive review.
9:04 AM
Grievance Propelled Gala Attack Suspect Across Country, Authorities Say
New information:
- The New York Times reconstructs Cole Tomas Allen's cross-country trip from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., including his train journey with a transfer in Chicago before arriving in Washington days before the April 25, 2026 attack.
- Authorities say Allen checked into the Washington Hilton several days before the White House Correspondents' Dinner and moved around the hotel and surrounding area multiple times before the shooting, suggesting extended pre-event surveillance.
- Investigators recovered and are analyzing writings and other materials that Allen sent to family members shortly before the attack, which they describe as laying out grievances that may have motivated his actions.
- The article details that Allen approached the outside security checkpoint armed with both guns and knives and began firing as he rushed the screening area, prompting Secret Service agents to tackle and disarm him just outside the ballroom security zone.
- Law enforcement officials emphasize that, based on currently available evidence, Allen appears to have acted alone and they have found no links so far to organized extremist groups.
9:00 AM
Alleged White House Correspondents' Dinner shooter set to appear in federal court
New information:
- NPR reports that the alleged gunman has been identified as 31-year-old Cole Allen, who is scheduled to be arraigned in federal court on Monday, April 27, 2026.
- According to U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro, Allen faces charges including using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon.
- Authorities say Allen charged through a security perimeter inside the Washington Hilton near the ballroom around 8:00 p.m. Eastern on Saturday, April 25, 2026, before being stopped and arrested by law enforcement.
- One Secret Service agent was shot in a protective vest and was not seriously injured; two firearms and multiple knives were recovered from the suspect, according to the Metropolitan Police Department.
- Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told NBC's Meet the Press on Sunday, April 26, 2026, that the suspect is believed to have been targeting members of the Trump administration.
- A White House official told NPR that before the shooting Allen allegedly sent family members a manifesto stating he wanted to target Trump administration officials, and that Allen's sister has spoken with law enforcement about it.
1:35 AM
Obama says motive unclear despite manifesto outlining alleged targets in WHCD shooting
New information:
- Former President Barack Obama posted a statement on X on Sunday, April 26, 2026, saying the motive behind the April 25 White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting remains unclear and urging Americans to reject political violence.
- Obama's statement specifically praised the courage and sacrifice of U.S. Secret Service agents and said he was grateful the agent who was shot 'is going to be okay.'
- Federal law-enforcement officials told Fox News Digital that, after his arrest, suspect Cole Allen said he intended to target President Trump and Trump administration officials and had prepared a manifesto detailing that intent.
- Investigators are reviewing Allen's writings, which reportedly identify Trump administration officials as potential targets and contain anti-Trump and anti-Christian rhetoric posted on social media.
- Law-enforcement officials quoted in the article emphasize that, despite the manifesto and statements, they have not formally confirmed a definitive motive while the investigation remains ongoing.
- In a '60 Minutes' interview aired Sunday, April 26, 2026, President Trump reacted angrily when host Norah O'Donnell read from the alleged manifesto, calling the shooter 'some sick person' and telling O'Donnell she was 'a disgrace' for reading it on air.
12:38 AM
Alleged gunman wrote that he expected more security at White House Correspondents' Dinner
New information:
- CBS reports that the alleged gunman wrote that he was surprised by, and expected more, security at the White House Correspondents' Dinner held Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Washington Hilton.
- The report characterizes this written comment as part of what investigators now know about the suspect's thinking with respect to the event's security protocols.
- Article does not specify the exact form or date of the suspect's writing, only that it was discovered in the course of the post-attack investigation and described in CBS' April 27, 2026 segment.
12:12 AM
Three problems with correspondents’ dinner security, say officials: the checkpoint, the evacuation and the venue itself
New information:
- On Saturday, April 25, 2026, video from the Washington Hilton shows staff at the final Secret Service magnetometer checkpoint near the ballroom reacting slowly and in some cases looking away as the armed suspect sprinted past them with a weapon in hand.
- Current and former law-enforcement officials identified three major security concerns: a porous final checkpoint just one flight of stairs from the ballroom entrance, evacuation delays for top officials caused by tightly packed banquet tables, and the inherent difficulty of securing the Washington Hilton as an active hotel despite its large ballroom.
- A current Secret Service official told MS NOW that checkpoint staff were not paying close attention because the dinner program had already started at 8:00 p.m. and they did not expect more guests, and that unlike at National Special Security Events there were no counter-assault teams staged near the checkpoint.
- Experts quoted in the article say this is at least the third time in less than two years that an armed, relatively untrained individual using low-tech methods has pierced multiple layers of Secret Service protection around President Trump, prompting concern that the agency is underestimating lone-wolf threats.
- The article notes the White House Correspondents' Dinner is not designated as a National Special Security Event, meaning it did not receive the elevated, multi-agency "almost militaristic" security posture and dedicated counter-assault elements used for conventions and inaugurations.
April 26, 2026
11:20 PM
Trump’s answer to shooting at Washington gala: Build the ballroom
New information:
- On Sunday, April 26, 2026, roughly two hours after the April 25 shooting, President Trump appeared in the White House briefing room in a tuxedo and said the 'answer' to the attack is to build a new 90,000-square-foot White House ballroom that he described as 'drone proof' with 'bulletproof glass.'
- Trump claimed the approximately $400 million ballroom, funded largely through undisclosed donations and currently stalled in litigation, is being 'demanded' by the Secret Service and the military and asserted on Truth Social that Saturday's attack 'would never have happened' if the ballroom were complete.
- Attorney General Todd Blanche said preliminary evidence indicates Trump and administration officials were 'likely' targets and sent a letter on Sunday demanding that the National Trust for Historic Preservation drop its lawsuit opposing the ballroom's construction, arguing the facility would keep presidents from needing to attend large events at venues like the Washington Hilton.
- The article notes that the White House Correspondents' Association sponsors the dinner, that the event is held at the Washington Hilton rather than the White House, and that hosting it at the White House would be seen as a conflict of interest, undercutting Trump's claim that the ballroom would directly prevent this kind of incident.
- Former FBI and Secret Service officials quoted in the piece argue that treating the ballroom as a comprehensive fix implies no off-site presidential events can ever be secure and call that logic unreasonable in addressing rising political violence.
11:06 PM
Trump admits he 'wasn't making it that easy' for Secret Service during WHCD shooting
New information:
- In a CBS '60 Minutes' preview aired Sunday, April 26, 2026, President Trump said he "wasn't making it that easy" for Secret Service agents to remove him from the White House Correspondents' Dinner after shots were fired on Saturday, April 25.
- Trump told Norah O'Donnell that his desire to see what was happening contributed to a brief delay in his evacuation, saying he initially remained standing and looking around before agents pressed him to move.
- He described being instructed mid-evacuation to "go down to the floor," after which he and First Lady Melania Trump dropped and "pretty much" crawled as they exited the ballroom.
- Fox News notes timing raised in the CBS interview: O'Donnell said it took about 10 seconds for an agent to reach Trump and another 20 seconds to get him out of the building.
- The article reiterates that Trump, Melania Trump and several administration officials were quickly evacuated, the dinner was abruptly ended, and that Trump has asked the White House Correspondents' Association to reschedule the event within 30 days.
- Fox News again confirms with law-enforcement sources that suspect Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old from Torrance, California, was targeting Trump administration officials and was armed with multiple weapons when he rushed a Secret Service checkpoint, shooting an officer in the ballistic vest.
11:00 PM
Trump "wasn't worried" during White House Correspondents' Dinner
New information:
- In a CBS News interview aired Sunday, April 26, 2026, President Trump said he "wasn't worried" during the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting, adding, "We live in a crazy world."
- Trump said he read the suspect's manifesto and described the alleged gunman as "radicalized," noting the man had been a Christian believer who became "anti-Christian" and that his family had complained about him to police.
- Trump said he does not know if he personally was the target of the attack, but that the manifesto stated the suspect was targeting members of the Trump administration.
- The president stated that the suspect's brother and sister had both complained about him and that the family was "very concerned," characterizing the suspect as "probably a pretty sick guy."
- Trump described the evacuation sequence inside the ballroom, saying Secret Service agents reached him within seconds but that he initially resisted being rushed out because he wanted to see what was happening, which he said "probably made them act a little bit more slowly."
- Trump recounted that First Lady Melania Trump's facial expression showed she was "very upset" once she realized there had been a gunshot rather than a dropped tray, and said he had just watched close-up footage of her reaction before the interview.
- The interview confirms that the evacuation of Trump and other principals from the Washington Hilton ballroom began roughly seconds after guests heard what they believed were gunshots on the evening of Saturday, April 25, 2026.
10:50 PM
Justice Department cites Correspondents' Dinner shooting in push to drop Trump ballroom lawsuit
New information:
- On Sunday, April 26, 2026, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche posted on X a letter from Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate giving the National Trust for Historic Preservation until 9 a.m. Monday to dismiss its lawsuit opposing President Trump's planned $400 million White House ballroom.
- Shumate's letter cites the April 25, 2026 shooting outside the Washington Hilton during the White House Correspondents' Dinner as grounds to argue the Hilton is 'demonstrably unsafe' for presidential events due to its size and security challenges.
- DOJ argues the proposed White House ballroom on the former East Wing site 'will ensure the safety and security of the President for decades to come and prevent future assassination attempts on the President at the Washington Hilton.'
- The National Trust for Historic Preservation, which sued in December 2025 after the East Wing was demolished for the project, said through a spokesperson that it will review DOJ's demand with legal counsel.
- The article reiterates that Trump says the ballroom, planned to hold 999 people, is funded by private donations while public funds are paying for a new bunker and security upgrades.
- Republican lawmakers including Rep. Jim Jordan and Sen. Lindsey Graham publicly endorsed the ballroom on Sunday, with Graham calling it a 'national security necessity' that would give the Secret Service much greater control over the security environment for future events.
10:45 PM
White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting: Timeline traces how suspect’s alleged cross-country plan unfolded
New information:
- Article provides a detailed timeline showing Cole Allen’s alleged preparations, including that he legally purchased a .38-caliber semiautomatic pistol in October 2023 and a 12‑gauge shotgun two years later, according to law enforcement information relayed via the Associated Press and his family.
- Allen’s sister told authorities the firearms were bought at Cap Tactical Firearms and stored in their parents’ home without the parents’ knowledge, and that Allen was a regular shooting-range visitor.
- Authorities say Allen was a member of a group called "The Wide Awakes" and had previously attended a "No Kings" protest in California, according to his sister’s account to investigators.
- Investigators allege Allen traveled by train from California to Washington, D.C., in mid‑April 2026 with a stop in Chicago, then checked into the Washington Hilton on Friday, April 24, one day before the dinner.
- The article specifies that Allen allegedly stormed the Washington Hilton lobby armed with weapons within minutes of the White House Correspondents' Dinner beginning around 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 25, 2026, and that he was quickly apprehended by Secret Service personnel.
- The piece reiterates that federal charges are expected to be filed against Allen on Monday, April 27, 2026, but frames this within a reconstructed minute‑by‑minute narrative of the attack’s onset.
10:11 PM
Gala Shooting Suspect Was Targeting Trump Administration Officials, Writings Reveal
New information:
- Article reports on writings recovered from Cole Tomas Allen that investigators say spell out a plan targeting President Trump and senior Trump administration officials at the April 25, 2026 White House Correspondents' Dinner.
- The writings, described by officials as a manifesto-type document, were sent to or accessed by family members shortly before the shooting, giving a more detailed picture of Allen's timing and intent.
- Investigators say the documents show Allen studied seating charts and security at the Washington Hilton and expressed a desire to reach the head table where the president and top aides were seated.
- The article details that federal prosecutors are treating the writings as key evidence for motive and premeditation in Allen's federal case and are likely to cite them in upcoming detention and charging filings.
7:52 PM
A chaotic White House Correspondents' Dinner, as told by NPR reporters in the room
New information:
- Article provides detailed first-person accounts from NPR reporters inside the Washington Hilton ballroom describing how the April 25, 2026 shooting unfolded in real time, including the moment shots were heard near 8:30 p.m. Eastern during the first course.
- NPR correspondent Franco Ordoñez reports that attendees heard a series of "bang, bang, bang" sounds followed by "crash" as plates and trays hit the floor and people and waitstaff dropped to the ground for cover.
- Senior editor Courtney Dorning recounts that members of the waitstaff dove to the floor next to their table and that one woman lay there crying that she did not want to die, illustrating the immediate fear in the room.
- White House correspondent Deepa Shivaram, stationed with the presidential pool near a hallway by the security checkpoint, says pool reporters distinctly heard gunshots from closer to the checkpoint, even though they could not see the confrontation.
- The article describes in detail that Secret Service and other security personnel in full tactical gear rushed into the ballroom, jumped over people and tables, and moved rapidly to evacuate the president, first lady, vice president, Cabinet members, and other principals from the stage and the room.
- It confirms that during the dinner portion of the event, rotating pool reporters were outside the main ballroom charging laptops in a hallway near the checkpoint where the shooting occurred, placing them physically close to the gunfire even though they lacked line of sight.
7:45 PM
Blanche reveals alleged WH Correspondents' Dinner gunman traveled by train from LA to D.C. before arrest
New information:
- On Sunday, April 26, 2026, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said on Fox News Sunday that the suspect appears to have traveled from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., by train, transiting through Chicago on both legs of the trip.
- Blanche stated that multiple search warrants were executed overnight in Los Angeles and in Washington, D.C., including at the suspect's hotel room, and on electronic devices whose contents investigators are now reviewing.
- Blanche said early evidence indicates the suspect "appears" to have been targeting members of the Trump administration, while emphasizing that the motive assessment is still preliminary.
- Blanche indicated investigators believe the suspect purchased the firearms used in the attack within the past couple of years, though authorities are still determining exactly how the weapons were transported.
- Blanche said federal prosecutors are expected to file initial charges including use of a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon, with additional counts possible as evidence is developed.
7:43 PM
Full transcript of "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," April 26, 2026
New information:
- The transcript confirms that the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner occurred 11 minutes after the dinner program began, while entertainer Oz Pearlman was performing a trick for President Trump and the first lady on the ballroom stage on Saturday, April 25, 2026.
- CBS reporting in the segment describes surveillance footage showing suspect Cole Tomas Allen racing past magnetometers on a staircase above the ballroom before being tackled and apprehended by Secret Service agents.
- The piece states that a Secret Service agent was hit during the attack but was protected from serious injury by a bulletproof vest, and that the president was held backstage by the Secret Service for more than an hour before returning to the White House.
- The transcript details that the vice president was "nearly lifted" out of the room by agents, and that Cabinet officials including the Treasury secretary, House speaker, and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. were swept from the ballroom after the shooting.
- The report explicitly links the venue to the March 1981 assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan at the same Washington Hilton ballroom, underscoring the security significance of the location.
7:36 PM
Hotel Where Reagan Was Shot in 1981 Becomes a Crime Scene Again
New information:
- The New York Times piece emphasizes that the April 25, 2026 shooting outside the Washington Hilton occurred at the same hotel where President Ronald Reagan was shot and wounded in 1981, drawing detailed historical parallels between the two attacks.
- It describes the physical layout and specific entrance areas of the Washington Hilton that have been hardened since the Reagan assassination attempt, and notes how the April 25 attacker still managed to reach a security checkpoint and fire.
- The article adds on-the-ground color about how guests, reporters, and staff inside the Correspondents' Dinner experienced the incident, including sheltering in place, confusion over the source of gunfire, and how long it took before they were cleared.
- It highlights the building’s long association with high-profile political events and security planning, noting that the Reagan shooting shaped subsequent Secret Service protocols that were in effect during the 2026 dinner.
7:05 PM
What we know about Cole Allen, suspected White House Correspondents' dinner shooter
New information:
- NPR identifies the suspect as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, California, a teacher and engineer, based on two sources familiar with the matter.
- Allen's LinkedIn lists a 2017 mechanical engineering bachelor's degree from Caltech and a 2025 computer science master's degree from California State University Dominguez Hills, and shows he worked as a part-time tutor at C2 Education, earning a 'teacher of the month' award in December 2024.
- A White House official says Allen emailed a manifesto to family minutes before the April 25, 2026 shooting, stating he wanted to target administration officials; his brother notified police after receiving it.
- According to the same official, Allen's sister told Secret Service and Montgomery County police that he often made radical statements about doing 'something' to fix the world, attended a 'No Kings' protest in California, and was part of an activist group called 'The Wide Awakes.'
- Allen's sister said he bought two handguns and a shotgun and stored them at his parents' home without their knowledge.
- Federal Election Commission records show Allen donated $25 via ActBlue in October 2024 to then–Vice President Kamala Harris's presidential campaign.
- U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro says Allen will be arraigned in federal court on Monday, April 27, 2026, on charges of using a firearm during a crime of violence and assaulting a federal officer with a dangerous weapon, and that additional charges are expected.
6:19 PM
Trump to join "60 Minutes" as new details emerge about press gala suspect
New information:
- CBS News reports on Sunday, April 26, 2026, that President Trump gave a "60 Minutes" interview about the April 25 White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting, describing it as his first time attending the event as president and recounting the evacuation.
- Authorities told CBS that suspect Cole Allen, 31, charged the Washington Hilton security checkpoint armed with a shotgun, a handgun and knives before being apprehended.
- A Secret Service agent shot during the incident was wearing a bulletproof vest and is expected to recover, according to CBS.
- Sources told CBS that Allen wrote a manifesto and sent it to family members; one relative contacted police with the document.
- In manifesto excerpts reviewed by CBS, Allen wrote that he planned to target administration officials "prioritized from highest-ranking to lowest" and would target authorities "only if necessary."
- The manifesto stated that hotel employees and guests were not intended targets, though Allen wrote he would attack them if necessary to reach administration officials, adding, "I really hope it doesn't come to that."
- Trump told CBS he "fought like hell" to resume the dinner after the shooting, but said law enforcement insisted the event end and he wants the dinner rescheduled within 30 days.
- Trump told O'Donnell he views the presidency as a "dangerous profession" when asked whether he feared for his life after the attack.
5:09 PM
What we know about the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner
New information:
- CBS segment confirms that on Saturday night, April 25, 2026, at the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington, D.C., President Trump and several high-ranking White House officials were in attendance when the shooting occurred.
- The piece reiterates that the president and those officials were rushed to safety from the ballroom after shots were fired.
- CBS reports that a Secret Service agent was injured in the incident but is expected to be OK, adding an on-the-record condition update.
5:09 PM
Blanche says administration officials were apparent targets at correspondents’ dinner
New information:
- On Sunday, April 26, 2026, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said on NBC's "Meet the Press" that investigators believe the gunman was targeting Trump administration officials, "likely including the president," while stressing this assessment is preliminary.
- Blanche stated investigators have recovered the suspect's electronic devices and unspecified writings and have already interviewed several people who knew him.
- Blanche said investigators currently believe the suspect acted alone.
- Blanche identified the suspect as 31‑year‑old California resident Cole Allen and said he traveled by train from Los Angeles to Chicago and then from Chicago to Washington ahead of the April 25 attack.
- Blanche said Allen had two firearms on him that were purchased legally in the past couple of years.
- Blanche indicated formal federal charges are expected to be filed Monday, likely including assault of a federal officer and discharging a firearm during the assault of a federal officer.
4:57 PM
Trump urges need for secure White House ballroom after dinner shooting, says hotel setting ‘tough’ to protect
New information:
- On Sunday, April 26, 2026, President Trump told Fox News' 'The Sunday Briefing' that the White House is building a new high-security ballroom on White House grounds, described as 'very, very secure' and already under construction.
- Trump said the new ballroom will feature 'massive' bulletproof glass almost four inches thick, 'drone-proofing,' and was designed with input from the military and the Secret Service, and is ahead of schedule.
- He argued that holding future correspondents' dinners and similar events at the Washington Hilton is 'pretty tough' to secure because of the many hotel rooms above and elevators opening near the ballroom, contrasting that with an on-compound White House facility where 'the president doesn't have to leave the premises.'
- Trump said he wanted the White House Correspondents' Dinner to resume after the April 25 shooting once the suspect was in custody, but ultimately followed law-enforcement guidance not to return to the ballroom that night.
- He reiterated praise for Secret Service and law enforcement, calling their response 'outstanding,' and again framed the episode as a reason not to let 'criminals, and really bad people, change the course of our country.'
4:43 PM
Unearthed video reveals Cole Allen as quiet inventor years before alleged bid to assassinate Trump
New information:
- Fox News Digital located a March 2017 KABC/ABC7 Los Angeles video showing Cole Allen, then a Caltech mechanical engineering student, demonstrating a simple emergency brake prototype for wheelchairs at an 'Aging into the Future' conference in Los Angeles.
- Engineering experts quoted in the Fox report said the PVC-based wheelchair brake device was notably simple and did not reflect particularly advanced mechanical engineering for a Caltech senior.
- President Donald Trump, in a Fox News interview aired Sunday, April 26, 2026, called Allen 'a sick guy' who 'hates Christians' based on his manifesto and said Allen's family had raised alarms with law enforcement.
- The article reports that, according to law enforcement officials, Allen attended at least one of three 'No Kings' protests over the past year, organized by groups including Indivisible, MoveOn, American Federation of Teachers, the People's Forum, the Party for Socialism and Liberation, and the ANSWER Coalition, and that these groups form part of a network funded by tech businessman Neville Roy Singham.
- Fox reiterates that Allen's brother contacted law enforcement and reported a manifesto detailing allegedly deadly plans targeting President Trump and administration officials at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday, April 25, 2026.
4:35 PM
Trump praised for 'strength' in moments after shots rang out as eyewitness describes 'terrible' scene
New information:
- On Saturday night, April 25, 2026, former deputy press secretary Harrison Fields was inside the Washington Hilton ballroom and described "pandemonium" after shots were fired, saying it took more than a minute before people on stage, including President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, understood there was a possible threat.
- Fields told Fox & Friends Weekend on April 26, 2026, that there was effectively no visible security buffer or screening apparatus as guests moved through the hotel toward the ballroom, and that he immediately noticed the lack of checkpoints given the presence of Cabinet secretaries and high-level officials.
- Fields recounted that after being evacuated, he and others were told President Trump wanted to return to the stage once the immediate threat ended, and he praised the president's response as providing "transparency," "clarity," and reassurance that officials "were not going to be cowards in this moment."
4:32 PM
Trump says Correspondents' Dinner shooting suspect wrote about targeting administration officials
New information:
- On Saturday, April 25, 2026, President Trump said in a Fox News interview that the suspect had written about targeting Trump administration officials and that the suspect's family raised concerns with law enforcement before the event.
- Trump specified that the suspect's family alerted police in Connecticut prior to the dinner, adding that the man had traveled by train from California and checked into the Washington Hilton days before the gala.
- Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said on Sunday talk shows that preliminary evidence from the suspect's writings and devices indicates he intended to target administration members at the dinner, likely including the president.
- Blanche said Allen is not cooperating with investigators and is expected to face multiple federal charges on Monday, including counts tied to firing the shot that struck a Secret Service officer in a bullet-resistant vest.
- Officials said the suspect is believed to have purchased the two firearms he carried within the last couple of years and confirmed that he was tackled after charging security barricades, with video showing Secret Service agents running toward him.
- The article adds biographical detail that Allen is a highly educated tutor and amateur video game developer with a master’s degree in computer science from California State University, Dominguez Hills, and a 2017 mechanical engineering degree from Caltech.
4:32 PM
Correspondents' Dinner shooting suspect wrote about grievances against Trump and targeting administration officials
New information:
- Article states that minutes before shots were fired on Saturday, April 25, 2026, suspect Cole Tomas Allen sent writings to family members in which he called himself a 'Friendly Federal Assassin,' railed against Trump administration policies, and referenced U.S. strikes on drug-smuggling boats in the eastern Pacific.
- A law enforcement official says investigators increasingly believe the shooting was politically motivated, based on Allen's writings, anti-Trump social media posts, and family interviews.
- Allen's brother in New London, Connecticut, contacted local police at 10:49 p.m. on April 25 after receiving the writings; New London police then immediately notified federal authorities.
- Allen's sister in Maryland told federal agents that he had legally purchased several weapons from a California gun store and stored them at their parents' home in Torrance without their knowledge, and investigators say he legally bought a .38-caliber semiautomatic pistol in October 2023 and a 12-gauge shotgun in 2025.
- Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said Allen is believed to have traveled by train from California to Chicago and then to Washington, checking into the Washington Hilton as a guest days before the dinner, and that he is believed to have acted alone and will face criminal charges in federal court on Monday, April 27.
4:19 PM
WHCD shooting suspect planned to target Trump officials, manifesto reveals
New information:
- On Saturday night, April 25, 2026, after his arrest, suspect Cole Allen told law enforcement he intended to target Trump administration officials, according to senior federal law enforcement sources.
- Authorities say Allen prepared a written manifesto outlining his intent and that his social media posts included anti-Trump and anti-Christian rhetoric.
- The White House said Sunday, April 26, that Allen’s brother contacted the New London Police Department in Connecticut before the shooting, reporting Allen had sent family members a manifesto describing plans to target administration officials.
- Allen’s sister told investigators in Rockville, Maryland, that he had recently purchased two handguns and a shotgun, kept them at their parents’ home without their knowledge, regularly trained at a shooting range, and became increasingly radical.
- The sister also said Allen was affiliated with a group called "The Wide Awakes" and attended a "No Kings" protest in California.
- Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche said investigators believe Allen traveled from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., by train with a stop in Chicago, and that preliminary assessment is that he was targeting administration officials, with formal charges still forthcoming.
- Overnight after the April 25 attack, the FBI and local law enforcement secured Allen’s home in Torrance, California, and a federal judge in the Central District of California is expected to approve a search warrant for that residence.
4:12 PM
Weijia Jiang: I was on stage last night with the president. This is what I saw.
New information:
- CBS News correspondent and White House Correspondents' Association president Weijia Jiang provides an on-stage, minute-by-minute account of the shooting at the Washington Hilton on Saturday, April 25, 2026.
- Jiang reports that at the moment of the shots, President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and other senior officials were seated on the dais watching a mentalist's trick when armed agents suddenly rushed the stage shouting 'down, down, down, get down.'
- She describes Trump dropping to the ground and crawling off the stage with her and others as Secret Service agents surrounded the dais and ushered them behind the stage to a secured holding area.
- Jiang notes there were more than 2,500 attendees in the ballroom, including Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and numerous CEOs, celebrities and ambassadors seated near the president.
- She recounts that security personnel in the secure area shouted color-coded commands such as 'Blue, blue!' as they moved toward the room where Trump was being held, and that producers monitored multiple live camera feeds of the still-crowded ballroom while evacuation and accountability efforts were underway.
- Jiang confirms that she could see her 82-year-old parents, husband and 7-year-old daughter still in the ballroom on video feeds immediately after the incident, underscoring that mass evacuation of guests took time even after the president was removed from the stage.
3:59 PM
Photos: The aftermath of the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting
New information:
- NPR’s photo report confirms that on Saturday, April 25, 2026, gunfire was exchanged specifically between suspect Cole Tomas Allen and Secret Service agents at a Washington Hilton security screening area.
- The piece states that a Secret Service agent who was shot in the bulletproof vest during the attack has now been released from the hospital.
- It documents that President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and multiple senior White House staff and cabinet members were all evacuated from the Washington Hilton.
- The article provides visual confirmation of National Guard personnel responding with weapons drawn at the hotel on the night of April 25, 2026.
- It shows FBI officers executing activity at an address in Torrance, California, tied to suspect Cole Tomas Allen on April 25–26, 2026, as part of the follow-up investigation.
3:40 PM
Trump calls for unity and bipartisan healing after another violent incident
New information:
- On Saturday night, April 25, 2026, President Trump held a hastily organized White House news conference after the Correspondents' Dinner incident, describing it as a third attempt on his life in less than two years.
- Trump publicly asserted that the suspect who tried to rush past security inside the Washington Hilton was 'undoubtedly' targeting him personally and called the presidency 'a dangerous profession.'
- During the April 25 briefing, Trump issued an unusually conciliatory call for unity and 'bipartisan healing,' saying, 'We have to resolve our differences,' and praising the 'tremendous amount of love and coming together' he said he saw in the dinner crowd.
- By the morning of April 26, Trump had pivoted on social media to use the incident to promote his 'Militarily Top Secret Ballroom' project at the White House, claiming Saturday's episode 'would never have happened' if the new ballroom were already built and deriding a 'ridiculous ballroom lawsuit' challenging the construction.
- Trump linked the repeated threats against him to what he described as his impactful presidency, saying he has 'studied assassinations' and arguing that 'the people that make the biggest impact, they're the ones that they go after.'
3:35 PM
Security under scrutiny as WHCD attendees cite inconsistent screening before shooting
New information:
- Article reports eyewitness accounts that some attendees were able to enter the Washington Hilton lobby and approach the ballroom using only a paper ticket, with no security screening prior to entering the lobby on Saturday, April 25, 2026.
- Former White House principal deputy press secretary Harrison Fields told Fox News there were "no checkpoints to get into the hotel" and said a VIP reception near the main ballroom, where Cabinet secretaries were present and where the president could have been, lacked a visible "security apparatus" leading up to that point.
- Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., publicly criticized what he called "glaring security issues," citing the lack of photo ID checks, absence of a verified attendee list, and no magnetometers before entry to the ballroom, while still noting the Secret Service and federal law enforcement acted swiftly once shots were fired.
- ABC News reporter Beatrice Peterson said the crowd size and security presence felt "typical-ish" for a year when the president attends, but added that multiple investigations are expected and that the shooting may permanently change how the dinner is secured.
- DW journalist Misha Komadovsky posted that the paper ticket was "the only thing required" for access to the ballroom, underscoring claims of inconsistent screening at different entry points.
3:20 PM
Details emerge of alleged shooter at White House correspondents' dinner
New information:
- NPR reports that the alleged gunman has been identified as Cole Allen, citing two sources familiar with the matter who were not authorized to speak publicly; this reinforces and aligns with earlier naming of the suspect.
- Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said on NBC's 'Meet the Press' on Sunday, April 26, 2026, that the suspect is believed to have been targeting administration officials, adding on-the-record attribution to the targeting assessment.
- NPR details the sequence inside the ballroom on Saturday, April 25, 2026: attendees heard muffled popping noises minutes into the dinner, the president, first lady and top officials were hurried away from the head table, and other guests dropped to the floor awaiting an all-clear.
- The article specifies that the suspect was apprehended right outside the ballroom after attempting to charge past a security checkpoint.
- NPR recounts that White House Correspondents' Association President Weijia Jiang initially told attendees the program would continue and that Trump signaled on social media he wanted the dinner to continue, but later, on law enforcement advice, Trump said he wanted it postponed and Jiang confirmed the postponement.
- The piece quotes Trump’s late-night April 25, 2026 press conference comments that one law enforcement officer was shot but was 'doing great' thanks to a bullet-proof vest, and that the assailant was from California.
- It confirms law enforcement’s statement that the assailant had a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives.
- NPR reports that within minutes of the incident Trump began posting on social media, including what appeared to be photos of the suspect shirtless and prone on the floor with his hands bound, and what appeared to be interior hotel security footage of the suspect sprinting past officers.
- The article quotes Trump as saying he released these images and video 'for purposes of transparency, clarity.'
- NPR quotes Trump linking the episode to his own perceived historical significance, saying that people who face assassination attempts are 'very impactful people' and that he is 'honored' by the association, and that he has 'done a lot' as president.
- The article notes Trump used the incident to argue for the 'massive ballroom' he is building on the White House grounds, asserting on social media that such an event 'would never have happened' in that more secure facility.
3:08 PM
Suspect sent "manifesto" to family before dinner, source tells CBS News
New information:
- A senior U.S. official told CBS News that Cole Allen wrote a 'manifesto' stating he wanted to specifically target Trump administration officials.
- Allen sent some of his writings to family members before the April 25, 2026 attempted attack, and one relative alerted police about the writings.
- Authorities found anti-Trump and anti-Christian rhetoric on Allen's social media accounts, according to the senior U.S. official.
- A family member interviewed after the attack said Allen made radical statements and often talked about a plan to do 'something' to fix perceived problems in the world.
- Family members told investigators Allen regularly trained with his guns at a shooting range and legally owned two firearms, one of which was used in the Washington Hilton shooting.
- Relatives reported that Allen was part of a group called 'The Wide Awakes' and had attended a 'No Kings' protest in California.
- The writings sent to family members did not specifically mention the White House Correspondents' Dinner or the Washington Hilton by name.
3:05 PM
WHCD shooting suspect targeted Trump administration officials, sources tell CBS News
New information:
- CBS News reports that multiple sources confirmed the suspect in the April 25, 2026 White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting was specifically targeting Trump administration officials.
- CBS News says the suspect's brother alerted authorities before the attack after receiving and turning over the suspect's 'alarming writings' to law enforcement.
- The piece attributes these details to multiple sources speaking to CBS News, adding corroboration to earlier DOJ statements about the suspect's writings and intent.
3:02 PM
How did suspected gunman get weapons into Correspondents' Dinner? Ex-detective questions security failures
New information:
- On Sunday, April 26, 2026, former D.C. homicide detective Ted Williams publicly criticized what he called 'somewhat lax' security and 'soft areas' at the Washington Hilton during the April 25 White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting.
- Williams highlighted that suspect Cole Thomas Allen had a room at the Washington Hilton and may have brought weapons into the hotel in advance of the April 25 dinner, raising questions about hotel and event screening procedures.
- Williams noted that the crowded, tightly packed ballroom left attendees as potential 'sitting ducks' during the evacuation and warned that a breach into the ballroom could have caused a 'very catastrophic event.'
- The article reiterates that authorities say Allen rushed a Secret Service checkpoint on April 25, 2026, while armed with multiple weapons, and that a Secret Service officer was shot in the ballistic vest and hospitalized.
- U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said at a news conference that Allen has been charged with two counts of using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon, and stated that additional charges are expected.
2:56 PM
Terror overtakes Trump’s first White House Correspondents’ Dinner as president
New information:
- The article provides detailed first-person accounts from inside the Washington Hilton underground ballroom when loud bangs were heard behind the closed doors on Saturday, April 25, 2026, prompting attendees to drop to the floor and hide under tables.
- MS NOW correspondent Julia Jester reports that when she arrived hours earlier to cover the red carpet on the terrace level, she and her bags were not screened, and she notes this apparent lapse in security in hindsight after the shooting.
- Witness descriptions from Rep. Marlin Stutzman and MS NOW anchor Ali Vitali specify that the shots sounded roughly 50 to 75 feet from the back doors of the ballroom, that a server was sheltering with them and sobbing, and that Secret Service agents eventually entered shouting that the area was now an active crime scene and ordering everyone to evacuate.
- The piece confirms that the dinner proceeded into the program (national anthem, remarks by Weijia Jiang) before the shooting, and that the event, Trump’s first White House Correspondents’ Dinner as president, was framed around tensions over his lawsuits and threats against media outlets before being disrupted by the attack.
2:04 PM
World leaders condemn ‘unacceptable’ violence after armed attack disrupts WH Correspondents’ Dinner
New information:
- Article reiterates that on Saturday, April 25, 2026, a man armed with guns and knives stormed the lobby of the Washington Hilton and charged toward the ballroom during the White House Correspondents' Dinner, prompting Secret Service agents to open fire as guests dove under tables.
- It confirms again that the suspect was identified as 31-year-old Cole Allen of Torrance, California, that he was a guest at the Washington Hilton, was taken into custody at the scene, and is expected to appear in court on Monday, April 27, 2026.
- French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte each posted statements on X condemning the attack as "unacceptable," warning against political extremism, and framing it as an assault on democratic systems.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly described the incident as an "attempted assassination," even though U.S. authorities have not characterized it that way, and praised U.S. security forces for their swift and decisive response.
- Several leaders, including Modi and Starmer, explicitly voiced relief that President Trump, the first lady, and Vice President JD Vance were unharmed and stressed that violence must be unequivocally condemned.
2:00 PM
White House Correspondents' Dinner attack suspect is tutor and computer programmer from California
New information:
- Article reports that the suspect in the April 25, 2026 White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting is 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, California, whose online profile and photo match the man taken into custody in images shared by President Donald Trump.
- Allen earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the California Institute of Technology in 2017 and a master's degree in computer science from California State University–Dominguez Hills, where a professor described him as a polite, high-achieving student.
- Allen has worked for roughly six years as a tutor at C2 Education, a test-preparation and admissions-counseling company, and was named the company's teacher of the month in a 2024 Facebook post.
- Federal campaign finance records show Allen made a $25 contribution in 2024 to a Democratic political action committee supporting Kamala Harris’s presidential bid.
- Allen’s online postings indicate he developed at least one video game for the Steam platform based on molecular chemistry and was working on a new top-down shooter combat game set in outer space.
- A local Los Angeles TV segment from his college years showed Allen discussing a prototype emergency braking system for wheelchairs he designed as a student project.
1:56 PM
Blanche says authorities believe suspect was targeting Trump admin. officials
New information:
- On Sunday, April 26, 2026, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said on 'Face the Nation' that investigators believe, based on preliminary findings, the suspect was targeting members of President Trump's administration at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
- Blanche stated that the alleged gunman, 31-year-old Cole Allen of Torrance, California, is not cooperating with authorities as they investigate his motive and interview people who knew him.
- Blanche said investigators believe the injured Secret Service agent was shot by the suspect during the April 25, 2026 attack outside the Washington Hilton ballroom.
- Blanche detailed that Allen is believed to have traveled by train from Los Angeles to Chicago and then from Chicago to Washington, D.C., prior to the attack and was staying as a guest at the Washington Hilton.
- Blanche reiterated that Allen currently faces federal charges of using a firearm during a violent crime and assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon, and said additional federal charges are possible depending on findings about motive, intent, and premeditation.
- The article notes that President Trump described the presidency as a 'dangerous profession' after the incident and said the attack would not deter him from doing his job, while officials continued to praise the Secret Service response.
1:53 PM
Blanche says authorities believe correspondents' dinner suspect was targeting administration
New information:
- On Sunday, April 26, 2026, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told 'Face the Nation' that law enforcement is still examining the suspected White House Correspondents' Dinner shooter's motivation.
- Blanche said officials currently believe the suspect was targeting Trump administration officials, while emphasizing that the investigation into motive remains ongoing.
1:42 PM
Trump faces unprecedented third assassination attempt
New information:
- The Fox News article relays President Donald Trump’s extended public reaction at a Saturday night, April 25, 2026 White House press briefing following the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting incident, including his statement that he has 'studied assassinations' and that 'the people that do the most... they're the ones that they go after.'
- Trump characterizes the Correspondents' Dinner shooting as part of a pattern of 'three thwarted assassinations' that now form part of the narrative of his presidency, explicitly tying the Washington Hilton incident to the July 13, 2024 Butler, Pennsylvania shooting where he was wounded in the ear, the September 15, 2024 armed suspect encounter at his Florida golf club, and the Secret Service discovery of a 'sniper's nest' near Palm Beach International Airport.
- Trump says he is 'honored' in a sense by being targeted because it confirms, in his view, that he is having impact, and he uses the briefing to call on Americans to 'recommit with their hearts' to resolving political differences peacefully.
- The article adds Trump’s description of the atmosphere inside the Washington Hilton ballroom on April 25, 2026 as 'a record setting group of people' with 'a tremendous amount of love and coming together' among Republicans, Democrats and independents before the evacuation.
- It reiterates that on April 25, 2026, Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were rushed from the Washington Hilton after shots were fired outside the ballroom and that authorities said one officer was struck but protected by a ballistic vest while suspect Cole Tomas Allen was taken into custody before breaching the room.
1:25 PM
Blanche says Trump's public appearances won't change because of this "lone man"
New information:
- On Sunday, April 26, 2026, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told 'Face the Nation' that the attempted attack by a 'lone man' at the White House Correspondents' Dinner will not change President Trump's or top officials' plans to appear in public.
- Blanche said, quoting President Trump, that the incident 'will not stop him from doing his job' and that administration officials, law enforcement and journalists will continue their work despite the attack.
- Blanche reaffirmed that authorities believe suspect Cole Allen, 31, was targeting Trump administration officials and said Allen currently faces two federal counts (using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon) but may face additional charges depending on findings about motive, intent and premeditation.
- Blanche confirmed Allen is expected to make his first court appearance on Monday, April 27, 2026.
1:10 PM
Washington shaken by shooting at White House press dinner
New information:
- CBS describes that during the dinner on Saturday night, April 25, 2026, guests inside the ballroom heard shots outside while President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and other top officials were present.
- The CBS News segment provides an eyewitness-style account from correspondent Tony Dokoupil, who was in the ballroom and describes Secret Service agents sweeping through the room after shots were heard.
- The piece reiterates that law enforcement sources identified the alleged gunman as 31-year-old Cole Allen of Torrance, California, and that he was detained at the scene.
1:07 PM
Transcript: Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," April 26, 2026
New information:
- Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said on April 26, 2026, that the FBI executed search warrants overnight at a home in Torrance, California, believed to belong to the suspect, as well as at his Washington, DC hotel room, and on multiple recovered devices.
- Blanche stated the federal investigation was 'just over 12 hours old' as of Sunday morning, April 26, and that agents had already collected 'a fair amount of evidence' now being reviewed.
- Blanche said preliminary findings indicate the suspect was targeting 'members of the administration' generally, although investigators do not yet have more specific intended targets.
- Blanche clarified that this assessment of motive comes from physical and documentary evidence gathered so far and not from any confession, noting the suspect is 'not actively cooperating.'
- Blanche said investigators believe the suspect traveled by train from Los Angeles to Chicago and then from Chicago to Washington, DC, and that he had been staying as a guest in the Washington Hilton for 'days' before the April 25 attack.
- Blanche said the suspect is expected to be formally charged in federal court in Washington, DC, on the morning of Monday, April 27, 2026.
- Blanche acknowledged that DOJ and investigators are 'still understanding the security protocols' that allowed the suspect to have firearms in the hotel and that questions about broader federal changes, including potential train security adjustments, are under consideration but not yet decided.
12:28 PM
How the White House Correspondents' Dinner and response unfolded
New information:
- Article provides a second-by-second timeline of the April 25, 2026 attack at the Washington Hilton, starting at 8:34:29 p.m. Eastern, based on surveillance video and eyewitness accounts.
- At 8:34:29 p.m., surveillance footage shows the suspect sprinting through a Secret Service metal detector, nearly colliding with a plainclothes officer who draws a sidearm, as multiple officers give chase toward the staircase separating the checkpoint from the ballroom.
- Security camera footage of the checkpoint breach was posted by President Trump on Truth Social and then aired by CBS, showing the suspect's run through the magnetometer and the immediate law‑enforcement response.
- At 8:34:33 p.m., rapid gunshots are audible in the ballroom; guests closer to the lobby report clearly hearing the shots and smelling gunpowder, while those near the dais initially mistake the noise for dropped serving trays.
- The article documents that mentalist Oz Pearlman was performing a trick at the head table for President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, press secretary Karoline Leavitt and WHCA President Weijia Jiang at the moment gunfire began, and that Pearlman later confirmed he was trying to guess the name of Leavitt's unborn daughter.
- Guests seated on raised platforms at the rear of the 30,000‑square‑foot ballroom began taking cover on the floor and under tables around 8:34:35 p.m., with some simultaneously recording video of the incident on their phones.
- Around 8:34:40 p.m., security officers are seen rushing up the ballroom's center aisle, climbing over chairs and spreading out toward their assigned protectees as Cabinet members and lawmakers crouch under tables.
- At approximately 8:34:45 p.m., Secret Service agents reach the head table and evacuate Vice President J.D. Vance first; an agent positions himself to shield President Trump with his body, and the president and first lady are escorted off stage roughly 20 seconds after shots were fired.
- The article notes that it took more than 20 seconds from the first gunshots until President Trump was physically moved off the stage by his protective detail.
11:40 AM
Trump doubts shooter motivated by Iran war as peace talks on hold
New information:
- On Sunday, April 26, 2026, President Trump said at a press conference that he does not think, but "you never know," that his war in Iran motivated the April 25 White House Correspondents' Dinner attack, adding that more information on the suspect's motives will be released when available.
- Multiple foreign leaders publicly reacted to the April 25 Washington Hilton shooting, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who called it an "attempted assassination" of Trump on X while expressing relief that the president and first lady were safe, and Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who condemned the violence and said it is the "enemy of diplomacy."
11:02 AM
Shots fired as gunman charges toward ballroom at White House correspondents' dinner
New information:
- Article specifies the incident unfolded in the lobby outside the Washington Hilton's ballroom holding the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner on Saturday, April 25, 2026.
- Confirms President Trump was on stage in the ballroom when shots were fired, was rushed offstage, briefly stumbled while exiting, and was then held in a secure presidential suite at the hotel before returning to the White House.
- Adds that one Secret Service officer was shot in a bullet-resistant vest and is recovering, while the gunman was tackled to the ground and was not injured but is being evaluated at a hospital.
- Reinforces the suspect's identity as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, and says he faces two firearm-related charges, including assaulting an officer with a deadly weapon, with a court appearance expected Monday, April 27, 2026.
- Describes that Vice President JD Vance was removed from the room first, agents initially shielded Trump in place, and that event organizers briefly tried to resume the dinner before Secret Service overruled and returned the president to the White House.
- Quotes Trump later at the White House saying, "They seem to think he was a lone wolf," and referring to this as the third time since 2024 that he has faced an immediate attacker, including the Butler, Pennsylvania assassination attempt.
9:19 AM
What We Know About the Shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner
New information:
- The article provides a timeline of the suspect's movements on Saturday, April 25, 2026, including that he checked into the Washington Hilton on Friday, spent time at the hotel bar, and was seen walking the halls with a large duffel bag before the attack.
- It adds detail on how the shooting unfolded at the perimeter checkpoint: officials say Cole Tomas Allen approached wearing a backpack, ignored commands, fired a shotgun at officers from close range, then advanced before being tackled and disarmed.
- The piece reports that a search of Allen's hotel room recovered additional ammunition, tactical gear and a handwritten notebook, though officials say they have not yet found evidence of co-conspirators.
- It clarifies that no attendees or officers were struck by gunfire and that all reported injuries at the Washington Hilton on April 25 were related to falls, crowd movement or stress reactions during the evacuation.
- The article notes that security officials are reviewing why Allen was able to bring a shotgun and handgun into the hotel despite event security, and that the Secret Service has begun an internal after-action review focused on perimeter screening and hotel access protocols.
5:54 AM
What we know about the suspect in shooting at White House press dinner
New information:
- Article confirms the suspect's full identity as 31-year-old Cole Allen of Torrance, California, including that he was a guest at the Washington Hilton where the April 25, 2026 shooting occurred.
- Law enforcement sources told CBS News that after his arrest Allen said he wanted to shoot Trump administration officials, offering the first reported statement on his alleged intent.
- U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro specified initial federal charges: one count of using a firearm during a crime of violence and one count of assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon, and said Allen will be arraigned Monday in federal court.
- D.C. Interim Police Chief Jeff Carroll detailed that Allen attempted to charge a security checkpoint and was armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives when he fired an estimated five to eight shots.
- The article reports that Allen worked for a Torrance tutoring firm, C2 Education, received a 'Teacher of the Month' award in December 2024, and graduated from Caltech in 2017, and that FBI agents searched a Torrance home believed to be connected to him on the night of April 25, 2026.
4:34 AM
Correspondents’ dinner chaos hits high-profile guests already marked by political violence
New information:
- Article underscores that President Trump, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and TPUSA CEO Erika Kirk were all in the ballroom and swiftly evacuated when the apparent gunfire occurred.
- Provides an on-the-record Trump quote from his late-Saturday White House press conference framing the attack in the context of repeated attempts on his life: "The people that make the biggest impact, they're the ones that [shooters] go after."
- Recounts Trump’s prior 2024 assassination attempts in Butler, Pennsylvania, and at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach as part of how he contextualized the incident publicly.
4:34 AM
Trump addresses WHCA shooting, suspect identified, charges announced | Special Report
New information:
- Confirms that President Trump took questions Saturday night after the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner.
- Reiterates that the suspect is a 31-year-old man now in custody, consistent with prior identification of the alleged gunman.
- Frames the development as a formal special report segment anchored by CBS News journalists Carissa Lawson and Tony Dokoupil, indicating national live coverage of the president’s remarks.
4:12 AM
California Man in Custody After Shooting at Dinner Attended by Trump
New information:
- Confirms the suspect is a California man, 31, from Torrance, aligning biographical details with charging documents.
- Adds narrative detail on the suspect's movements near the Washington Hilton and how Secret Service and police coordinated the takedown before he reached the ballroom.
- Provides additional on‑scene reporting about how attendees experienced the incident, including timing of evacuations and lockdowns relative to when shots were heard outside.
4:01 AM
Gunman Was Tackled by Law Enforcement Near Correspondents’ Dinner Security Checkpoint
New information:
- Suspect identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California.
- Police say Allen was armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and knives and had been staying at the Washington Hilton as a guest.
- Interim D.C. Police Chief Jeffery Carroll says investigators believe the gunman fired at least once and are reviewing ballistics and shell casings.
- The suspect was tackled near a security checkpoint before entering the ballroom and was not shot; he was taken to a local hospital for evaluation.
- U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro says Allen will be charged with using a firearm during a crime of violence and with assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon, with more charges likely.
- President Trump said a Secret Service agent was shot in his protective vest and is in good condition, though authorities are still determining how the agent was hit.
3:57 AM
Cole Allen identified as suspect in White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting
New information:
- Identifies the suspect as Cole Allen, 31, of Torrance, California.
- Specifies that Allen has been charged with two counts of using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon.
- Confirms Secret Service account that Allen rushed a Secret Service checkpoint armed with multiple weapons.
- Reiterates that Allen was not struck by gunfire, was apprehended, and taken to a local hospital.
3:49 AM
WATCH: D.C. officials share updates on the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting
New information:
- Mayor Muriel Bowser said at a Saturday night news conference that authorities currently believe the suspect was a lone actor and that there is no ongoing danger to the public.
- Bowser stated, "We have no reason to believe at this time that anyone else was involved," emphasizing the lone-actor assessment.
- U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced that the suspect has been charged with firearms and assault offenses.
3:44 AM
Trump praises press after WHCD shooting, says unity at dinner was 'beautiful'
New information:
- Trump publicly praised the press for their "responsible" coverage and described the dinner crowd's reaction to the shooting as "totally unified" and "very beautiful" to see.
- He said he "fought like hell" to keep the White House Correspondents' Dinner going but confirmed it was canceled for security reasons and reiterated it will be rescheduled within about 30 days, promising to make it "bigger and better."
- Trump specifically commended White House Correspondents' Association president and CBS correspondent Weijia Jiang for her role at the event and said her performance made it "tough" to ask him a hard question afterward.
- Trump shared an image of the suspect's arrest on his Truth Social account, adding a new detail on how he amplified the incident publicly.
3:42 AM
D.C. officials announce charges against correspondents' dinner shooting suspect
New information:
- U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro has now formally announced charges against the suspect in the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting.
- The announcement confirms the case has moved from investigation into an active federal prosecution, with the D.C. U.S. Attorney's Office leading the charges.
3:01 AM
Secret Service in line of fire at WHCA shooting still unpaid due to Dem-led shutdown
New information:
- Fox article explicitly links the shooting to a more than 60-day DHS funding stalemate driven by Senate Democrats blocking funding bills and rejecting GOP proposals.
- States that Secret Service personnel involved in the incident remain unpaid due to the DHS shutdown, emphasizing operational and morale implications.
- Describes the shooting location as near a security screening area outside the dinner rather than inside the ballroom, refining understanding of where gunfire occurred.
- Adds that there have been two prior confirmed assassination attempts on Trump and a recent armed intruder incident at Mar-a-Lago, framing this as part of a pattern of threats.
- Reports that Secret Service Director Sean Curran recently warned Congress the agency is not adequately staffed for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, 2028 Olympics, and 2028 presidential cycle.
2:43 AM
Watch Live: Trump speaks to press after gunshots at White House Correspondents' Dinner
New information:
- Trump said one Secret Service agent was struck by a round but was protected by a bulletproof vest and is in good spirits.
- Trump stated the suspect had both a shotgun and a handgun, according to two sources familiar with the investigation.
- The suspect is in custody and hospitalized, per officials cited in the article.
- Trump said he ordered release of video of the attack to show the assailant's actions and the rapid response by Secret Service and law enforcement.
- Trump reiterated that he initially wanted the dinner to continue but law enforcement required clearing the ballroom for investigation and said the event would be rescheduled within 30 days.
2:19 AM
White House Correspondents' Association President announces event being rescheduled after shooting
New information:
- White House Correspondents' Association President Weijia Jiang formally announced that the dinner was canceled and will be rescheduled within 30 days.
- Jiang relayed that law enforcement requested everyone leave the premises consistent with protocol.
- Trump posted on Truth Social that he will hold a press conference from the White House 30 minutes after leaving and confirmed the First Lady, Vice President, and all Cabinet members are in "perfect condition."
- Trump insisted he wanted to continue the dinner but is following security protocol instead.
2:10 AM
Trump rushed from same hotel where Reagan assassination attempt unfolded in 1981
New information:
- Confirms that President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were physically rushed out of the Washington Hilton ballroom at the start of the dinner.
- Reports that Trump has stated on Truth Social that he, the First Lady, and his Cabinet members are safe.
- Highlights the historical parallel that the same Washington Hilton was the site of the 1981 Ronald Reagan assassination attempt.
- Notes that Trump returned to the White House and is set to deliver a statement from the White House Briefing Room.
1:57 AM
WATCH LIVE: Trump holds press conference after shooting at White House Correspondents' Dinner
New information:
- AP/PBS account details that Trump briefly fell while being rushed off stage, apparently tripping, and was helped up by Secret Service agents.
- Report specifies the incident occurred outside the ballroom where Trump and other guests were seated, with guests inside hearing what some believed were five to eight shots.
- Confirms all Secret Service–protected officials, including Trump and other top leaders, were evacuated and that organizers attempted to resume the dinner afterward.
- Describes National Guard members taking positions inside the building, with people allowed to leave but not re-enter, and notes broken plates and glasses as guests evacuated.
- Includes an on-scene video statement from U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro saying Secret Service had taken control of the hotel and that Mayor Muriel Bowser and Police Chief Jeffery Carroll were en route.
1:18 AM
Trump rushed from White House Correspondents' Dinner after sounds of possible gunfire
New information:
- NPR confirms that a suspect is in custody after what sounded like gunshots at the Washington Hilton.
- Article specifies that the apparent incident occurred shortly after 8:30 p.m. ET inside the hotel.
- NPR reports that multiple cabinet-level officials, including EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy and FBI Director Kash Patel, were evacuated within the hotel.
1:16 AM
Trump Moved Offstage at White House Correspondents’ Dinner
New information:
- Wall Street Journal account specifies that witnesses heard three loud bangs inside the Washington Hilton ballroom.
- Witnesses reported seeing a man carrying a rifle in the ballroom as Trump was moved offstage.
- Article confirms Trump was seated on stage in front of the ballroom with Vice President JD Vance, First Lady Melania Trump, and cabinet members present when he was evacuated.
1:03 AM
Trump evacuated after security incident at White House correspondents dinner
New information:
- Associated Press reporting that a law-enforcement official confirmed there was a shooter, not just an unspecified threat.
- AP description that guests heard what they believed to be five to eight shots fired inside the Washington Hilton ballroom.
- Confirmation that National Guard members took up positions inside the building while guests were allowed to leave but not re-enter.
- On-the-record detail that there did not immediately appear to be any injuries and that Trump and other leaders were reported uninjured.
12:59 AM
Trump evacuated after security incident at White House correspondents dinner; no sign of injuries
New information:
- Confirms that President Donald Trump and other top U.S. leaders were evacuated from the White House Correspondents' Dinner after an unspecified threat.
- States there were no immediate signs of injuries among attendees following the evacuation.
- Describes Secret Service and other authorities swarming the banquet hall as hundreds of guests ducked under tables.
12:57 AM
Trump rushed away from White House correspondents' dinner as shots fired
New information:
- Fox reports that Secret Service agents stood at the head table with weapons drawn while scanning the room.
- Attendees reported hearing shouting and some took cover under tables before or as the president was escorted out.
- Fox confirms White House officials say President Trump, the First Lady, and Karoline Leavitt are safe.
- Fox characterizes it as the first violent disruption in the more than century-long history of the White House Correspondents' Dinner and notes protesters were gathered outside earlier in the evening.
12:57 AM
Trump Moved Offstage at White House Correspondents’ Dinner
New information:
- Wall Street Journal confirms witnesses inside the hotel heard three loud bangs before the evacuation.
- Witnesses reported seeing a man carrying a rifle in connection with the incident.
- WSJ specifies Trump was seated on stage at the front of the Hilton ballroom when he was moved offstage.