Cole Allen, the suspect in the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting attempt, authored a manifesto outlining his intention to target Trump administration officials, ranked by priority, according to documents reviewed by CBS News. Allen, 31, was armed with a shotgun, handgun, and knives when he tried to breach security at the Washington Hilton Hotel, where the event was held.
Allen did not consider law enforcement, hotel staff, or guests as primary targets, though he indicated he would harm them if necessary to reach his main targets. He expressed hope that secondary attacks would be avoided in his manifesto.
Details of the manifesto and attack
In an email to family members, which prompted his brother to alert police, Allen admitted that he “may have given a lot of people a surprise today” and apologized to his parents and colleagues for misleading them about his whereabouts. He predicted that he might soon require emergency medical attention, suggesting potential self-inflicted injuries.
Allen stated that his motive was opposition to the perceived “crimes” of the administration but excluded FBI Director Chris Patel from his target list. He said he planned to prioritize officials from highest to lowest rank. He further noted intentions to minimize collateral casualties by using buckshot rather than slugs, reducing penetration through walls.
The manifesto also included a series of rebuttals to anticipated objections about his planned actions, addressing his mixed racial background and Christian faith. He argued that “turning the other cheek” was not applicable to those oppressed and cited anonymous individuals who, in his view, had suffered due to the administration’s policies.
Security concerns and family statements
Allen criticized the White House security, indicating he found vulnerabilities at the hotel and during transport. He alleged that if he had been an Iranian agent, he could have smuggled a machine gun without detection, and criticized the Secret Service’s security measures as insufficient. A Secret Service officer wounded in the incident, protected by a bulletproof vest, was released from the hospital shortly after.
Allen’s sister informed investigators that he often spoke using radical rhetoric and occasionally alluded to plans to “do something” to address societal and governmental issues. Authorities found additional writings at Allen’s Torrance, California home and his hotel room.
The White House Correspondents’ Dinner, which honors the First Amendment, was attended by over 2,500 people and canceled soon after the shooting attempt. Former President Trump, attending for the first time in years, was promptly escorted to safety. Trump has indicated plans to reschedule the dinner within 30 days.
Why it matters
The incident raises concerns about the security protocols for high-profile political events, particularly regarding access control in public venues hosting government officials. Allen’s manifesto provides insight into the motivations behind politically targeted violence and highlights ongoing threats to administration members. The attack underscores the challenges faced by law enforcement in balancing event accessibility and protection.
Background
The White House Correspondents’ Dinner is a longstanding annual event that gathers journalists, politicians, and administration officials to celebrate press freedom. Traditionally, former President Trump declined to attend but made an appearance this year. High-profile security is typical given the presence of prominent figures, though the Washington Hilton’s dual role as a public hotel presented unique security challenges.
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Sources
This article is based on reporting and publicly available information from the following source: