Federal prosecutors released a video Thursday showing the moment Cole Tomas Allen allegedly attempted the assassination of President Donald Trump by trying to storm the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.
The footage, posted by Washington U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, captures Allen running through security with a long gun toward the hotel ballroom. The incident occurred Saturday night at the Washington Hilton, disrupting one of the capital’s highest-profile annual events.
The video shows Allen passing through a magnetometer and pointing his weapon at a Secret Service officer, who returned fire five times. Authorities stated the officer was struck in the bullet-resistant vest and confirmed there is no evidence the officer was hit by friendly fire.
- Defendant: Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California.
- Charges: Attempted assassination and two firearms counts, including discharging a weapon during a crime of violence.
- Security Detail: The attack was stopped 355 feet away from the president’s podium.
Evidence in the Attempted Assassination of President Donald Trump
The nearly six-minute video includes footage from the day before the attack, showing Allen scouting the hotel gym and walking through a hallway. Security footage reveals federal officers taking down magnetometers and standing around as Allen emerged from a doorway and sprinted toward them.
Prosecutors allege Allen took a selfie in his hotel room minutes before the incident while equipped with an ammunition bag, a shoulder gun holster, and a sheathed knife. In a message cited by authorities, Allen referred to himself as a “Friendly Federal Assassin” and alluded to grievances regarding administration actions.
Secret Service Director Sean Curran defended the agency’s security plan, stating the attack was stopped within seconds at the outermost perimeter of a multi-layered security bubble. Curran noted the path from the magnetometers to the podium included two sets of stairs, a doorway, and numerous armed officers.
Legal Proceedings and Defense
Allen appeared in federal court Thursday and agreed to remain jailed while awaiting trial. He did not enter a plea during the brief hearing before U.S. Magistrate Moxila Upadhyaya.
Defense lawyers argued in court filings that the government’s case is built on speculation and “inferences drawn about Mr. Allen’s intent.” The defense further noted that Allen’s writings never mentioned the president by name.
Allen, a part-time tutor and amateur video game developer, faces up to life in prison if convicted of the assassination count alone.
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