US Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro has asserted that Cole Allen, the 31-year-old California teacher accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, will likely face further charges following his initial court appearance. The suspect appeared in federal court on Monday, charged with attempted assassination, after a chaotic incident on Saturday that saw shots fired and President Trump rushed off stage unharmed. Guests at the prestigious event were forced to take cover under tables as security responded.
Allen was ordered to remain in custody pending further hearings, with a detention hearing scheduled for Thursday. If convicted on the assassination count alone, he faces up to life in prison. Magistrate Judge Matthew J. Sharbaugh granted the prosecutor's request for continued detention. Allen, who did not speak extensively during the brief hearing, is represented by lawyer Tezira Abe, who noted his lack of criminal record and emphasized the presumption of innocence.
Pirro's Statement and Additional Charges
Speaking at a press conference, Pirro, a former Fox News host now serving as US Attorney for D.C., delivered a forceful statement. "Make no mistake, this was an attempted assassination of the president of the United States, with the defendant making clear what his intent was. And that intent was to bring down as many of the high-ranking Cabinet officials as he could," she said. Pirro reiterated that Allen is likely to face extra charges in the case. Later, on Fox News' The Ingraham Angle, she accused the suspect of wanting to "kill the president."
FBI Affidavit Reveals Planning Details
An FBI affidavit filed on Monday disclosed new details about the attack's planning. Authorities allege that Allen reserved a room at the Washington hotel hosting the dinner on April 6, weeks in advance, under tight security. He traveled cross-country by train from California last week, checking into the Washington Hilton the day before the dinner for a weekend stay. The dinner had barely begun when Allen, from Torrance, California, attempted to race past a security barricade near the ballroom, which held hundreds of journalists and guests. This prompted an exchange of gunfire with Secret Service agents.
Allen carried a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun purchased last year and a .38 caliber semi-automatic pistol bought in 2023, according to authorities. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated, "Violence has no place in civic life. It cannot and will not be used to disrupt democratic institutions or intimidate those who serve them, and it certainly cannot continue to be used against the president of the United States." He added that the investigation is thorough and accountability will be swift.
Injuries and Ballistics Investigation
Allen was injured during the attack but not shot. A Secret Service officer was shot but survived due to a bullet-resistant vest. Questions remain about the number of shots fired by Allen and officers. Blanche said investigators believe a Secret Service agent fired five shots, and Allen discharged his shotgun at least once. However, it is not yet confirmed whether Allen's bullet struck the agent or if other officers used their weapons. Ballistics experts are examining evidence for clarity.
The Justice Department charged Allen with two additional firearms counts, including discharging a weapon during a crime of violence, but the affidavit does not allege he shot the agent. The shooting led to the cancellation of the dinner, the first Trump attended as president. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the night was "hijacked by a crazed anti-Trump individual who traveled across the country to assassinate the president and as many administration officials as possible."
Manifesto and Background
In a manifesto included in the affidavit, Allen referred to himself as a "Friendly Federal Assassin" and alluded to grievances over Trump administration actions. The rambling text moves between confession, grievance, and farewell, apologizing to family, co-workers, and strangers while explaining the attack. Records show Allen is a highly educated tutor and amateur video game developer. A social media profile matching the suspect indicates he worked part-time for six years at a company providing admissions counseling and test preparation.
Voter registration records list Allen's address as his parents' home in Torrance, California. Campaign finance records show he contributed $25 to a Democratic PAC supporting Kamala Harris in 2024 and listed his employer as C2 Education, which expressed shock and is cooperating with law enforcement. Allen is registered without party affiliation and voted in the last three general elections. He earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Caltech in 2017 and a master's in computer science from California State University, Dominguez Hills in May 2025, according to his LinkedIn profile. The profile photo shows him in cap and gown. His LinkedIn also notes involvement in a Nerf gun campus group and a Christian student fellowship.
