A new assassination attempt against President Donald Trump and other government officials took place occurred at a reception, when an armed man attempted to enter the venue and was arrested after shooting a law enforcement officer.
Following the incident, the American president stated that democracy has repeatedly been targeted by similar attacks.
“This is not the first time in recent years that our democracy has been attacked by a potential assassin seeking to kill,” Trump said, still wearing his tuxedo, during a press conference at the White House about two hours after the incident.
Facing him were journalists in bow ties and evening gowns who, like him, had been invited to the dinner attended by the “elite” of politics and media in Washington.
The president clarified that a law enforcement officer was wounded by gunfire, though it was later announced that his life is not in danger.
According to Trump, the gunman—a black man from California identified as Cole Allen—was a “lone wolf” and “deranged.” Notably, the suspect himself told police after his arrest that he wanted to shoot officials from the Trump administration, CBS News reported, citing two sources.
The timeline of the attack
The annual dinner of the White House Correspondents’ Association had just begun, according to journalists from Agence France-Presse who were present, when a major disturbance was heard at the entrances of the hall.
Shouts of “Down! Down!” were heard. Guests immediately lay or knelt on the floor and hid under tables, many holding their phones up to record video. Meanwhile, the president and First Lady Melania Trump, who were seated at the main table on an elevated platform, were evacuated by security.
Agents from the United States Secret Service entered the room heavily armed. Authorities then ordered guests—journalists, ministers, politicians, and various public figures—to evacuate the large hall located in the hotel’s basement.
In AFP footage, Trump is seen seated at the head table along with Vice President JD Vance and spokesperson Karoline Leavitt, as well as journalists, while bangs are heard that initially provoke no reaction.
Only seconds later do attendees appear to realize something is wrong, with anxiety clearly visible on Melania Trump’s face.
Heavily armed security agents then intervene quickly and escort the president off the stage. The background music stops, and other agents climb over tables, appearing to aim their weapons toward the crowd.
Police surrounded the area, and helicopters flew overhead in the city center.
The WHCA organizes this dinner every spring, bringing together hundreds of political and media figures. Trump, who frequently criticizes the press, was attending for the first time as president.
“The gunshots will not stop me from winning the war with Iran”
Donald Trump assured that the shooting at the Washington press reception would not deter him from the war against Iran, although he believes the incident is unrelated to the international crisis.
“This will not stop me from winning the war in Iran,” he told reporters hours after being rushed out of the event.
“I don’t know if it had anything to do with that—I truly don’t think so, based on what we know,” he added.
Moments earlier, he had said “you never know” when asked whether the shooting might be connected to the war in Iran, which he said began on February 28 alongside Israel.
“I have a dangerous job”
Trump also referred to the rise in political violence, stressing that it is a global phenomenon.
“No country is immune,” he said.
He described the U.S. presidency as a “dangerous profession,” noting that his policies make him a target.
“It’s part of the game,” he added. “We will continue to do a very good job. That’s all I can do.”
He also said he initially thought the sound of gunshots came from a dropped tray and joked that when journalists and officials gather again, it will be “safer.”
“Multiple weapons”
Earlier, via his platform Truth Social, Trump released security camera images showing a man rushing through a metal detector at the venue entrance, while security personnel drew their weapons.
“It was, in a way, quite something to see a man charge a security checkpoint armed with multiple weapons and be neutralized by very brave Secret Service members who acted very quickly,” he said.
Trump criticized the Washington Hilton hotel where the dinner was held, saying it is “not a particularly secure building,” though he acknowledged that the security operation itself “was very secure.”
He noted that agents stopped the gunman before he entered the main hall where he was present.
Outside this same hotel, President Ronald Reagan was wounded in a 1981 assassination attempt.
The suspect to appear in court
The gunman will appear in court on Monday, U.S. authorities announced.
He faces two charges: use of a firearm in a violent crime and assault on a federal agent with a dangerous weapon.
Cole Allen: 31-year-old teacher identified as suspect
The gunman who opened fire at the dinner was identified as Cole Allen, 31, from Torrance, California.
According to authorities, Allen is a Democrat voter and works as a teacher. He was arrested after allegedly entering the Washington Hilton hotel and heading toward the hall where around 2,500 guests were gathered, including the president and members of the government.
A LinkedIn profile matching his name and photo describes him as a part-time educator at C2 Education. The company had named him “teacher of the month” in December 2024.
According to his profile, he graduated in 2017 from the California Institute of Technology with a degree in mechanical engineering and obtained a master’s in computer science last year.
During his time at Caltech, he was featured in a 2017 local report for developing a prototype emergency brake for wheelchairs.
According to Federal Election Commission records, Allen donated $25 to the campaign of Kamala Harris in October 2024.
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