WASHINGTON – A California man accused of storming a gala dinner attended by US President Donald Trump was set to appear in court on Monday over a shooting that marks the latest spasm of political violence in a deeply divided America. Administration officials said the suspect in Saturday night’s attack appeared to have aimed to kill Trump and senior officials at the press dinner in a Washington hotel, in what would be the third attempt on the president’s life in two years.
Trump, who was rushed out of the ballroom by Secret Service agents, posted surveillance footage showing the gunman attempting to sprint past a checkpoint one floor above the room where the dinner was held. After a brief exchange of gunfire with agents, the suspect was detained at the scene. Trump shared images of the suspect handcuffed on the hotel floor, lying shirtless and face down.
Trump: ‘I Wasn’t Worried’
In an interview aired Sunday on CBS programme 60 Minutes, Trump said he was not concerned about casualties as the chaotic scene unfolded. “I wasn’t worried. I understand life. We live in a crazy world,” he said.
Charges Expected
“He’s not actively cooperating. I expect that he will be formally charged tomorrow morning in federal court in Washington,” acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche told CBS’s Face the Nation. “We do believe, based upon just a very preliminary start to understanding what happened, that he was targeting members of the administration.”
Blanche added that no clear motive had been established, and confirmed the suspect — who officials said was armed with a shotgun, handgun and knives — was staying at the Washington Hilton, where the black-tie White House Correspondents’ Dinner was held.
‘Anti-Christian’ Manifesto
Trump, without providing details, said the gunman had written an “anti-Christian” manifesto. “The guy is a sick guy,” Trump told Fox News, adding that family members had raised concerns with law enforcement.
The New York Post reported the suspect, identified as Cole Allen, 31, had sent a message to his family before the attack indicating his targets would be “prioritised from highest-ranking to lowest.”
Chaotic Scenes
Moments after the shooting a floor above, Secret Service agents swarmed the ballroom, prompting chaotic scenes as attendees dived under tables. Among those present were Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, cabinet members, lawmakers and hundreds of guests.
Trump later told a late-night press conference at the White House that he initially thought the noise was a dropped tray before realising it was gunfire. He said he hoped the annual gala, hosted by the White House Correspondents’ Association, would be rescheduled within a month.
Security Concerns
“They seem to think he was a lone wolf, and I feel that too,” Trump said, adding that one officer shot at close range in a protective vest did not appear seriously injured. Trump also described the venue as “not a particularly secure” facility, as questions arose over security arrangements.
Multiple Attempts on Trump’s Life
Trump was previously targeted during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania in 2024, when a gunman opened fire, killing an audience member and wounding the president. Months later, another man was arrested after a Secret Service agent spotted a rifle barrel protruding from bushes near Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach.
Historic Venue
The Washington Hilton is also the site where former US president Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981. Trump said the latest incident underscored the need for enhanced security, including plans for a new ballroom near the White House.
The Dinner
The White House Correspondents’ Association had invited Trump to the dinner despite his repeated criticism of the media. Unlike most presidents over the past century, Trump had not attended the event while in office until this year.
The dinner traditionally brings together journalists and political figures to raise funds for scholarships and awards. The incident came less than 48 hours before King Charles III and Queen Camilla were due to begin a four-day state visit to Washington.
Analysis: Political Violence in a Divided America
The third assassination attempt on President Trump in two years underscores the deep divisions and political violence that have become disturbingly common in American politics.
The fact that the suspect — armed with a shotgun, handgun, and knives — was able to get into the hotel and exchange gunfire with Secret Service agents raises serious questions about security arrangements. Trump himself described the venue as “not a particularly secure” facility.
The timing — less than 48 hours before the state visit of King Charles III — adds to the embarrassment. The British monarch’s security will now be under heightened scrutiny.
Trump’s response — “I wasn’t worried. We live in a crazy world” — is characteristic. But the reality is that a US president has now been targeted three times in two years. The Secret Service needs to answer how a gunman got so close.
As the suspect appears in court, the nation will learn more about his motive. Trump’s claim of an “anti-Christian” manifesto suggests an ideological component. But regardless of motive, the shooting is a symptom of a sick society.
