It’s official.
Cole Allen, the man arrested after opening fire inside the Washington Hilton Hotel on Saturday night during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, has been officially charged.
On Monday afternoon, it was announced that Allen had been charged with attempting to assassinate President Trump.
The New York Post provided further details on the charges being brought against Allen:
The suspected White House Correspondents Dinner shooter Cole Allen was charged with trying to assassinate President Trump on Saturday night — as he made a defiant first appearance in court.
The 31-year-old accused madman spoke loudly and confidently answering a judge’s questions in federal court in Washington, DC, as he was hit with the charges of attempted assassination of the president, transportation of a firearm across state lines to commit a felony and discharging a gun.
He faces life in prison if convicted of the top charge.
Allen — who walked into the courtroom unshackled with a somber look and wearing a blue jail jumpsuit — answered the judge when asked his name, loudly saying: “Cole Tomas Allen.”
The CalTech grad also said his age and told the judge he has a “master’s degree.”
Prosecutor Jocelyn Ballantine told the judge Allen “attempted to assassinate the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump.”
She added that Allen traveled across state boundaries “carrying a 12-gauge pump-action shot gun,” along with a “.38-caliber semi automatic pistol and three knives.”
Allen will remain behind bars until a bail hearing Thursday. He faces up to life in prison if convicted on the top charge.
Jack Posobiec, with Human Events, read off all the charges and the sentences Allen could receive if found guilty:
🇺🇸 Cole Tomas Allen, the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooter, has been formally charged.
Attempted assassination of the President, maximum penalty: life in prison
Transportation of a firearm across state lines, maximum penalty: 10 years
Discharge of a firearm during a… https://t.co/3tVjr8PGAF pic.twitter.com/4IEBJBxafK
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) April 27, 2026
Reporter for Meidas Touch, Scott MacFarlane, was inside the courtroom:
Cole Allen is charged with attempting to assassinate the President
I just ran out of court ===> pic.twitter.com/FuXBzue0cC
— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) April 27, 2026
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