WASHINGTON — The California man facing charges for allegedly attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner has consented to staying behind bars while his case proceeds through the courts.
Cole Thomas Allen made no plea entry during his Thursday court appearance, just days after law enforcement says he charged past security screening at the Washington Hilton carrying firearms and knives, disrupting one of Washington D.C.’s most prominent annual gatherings.
Saturday evening’s incident left Allen wounded, though he was not struck by gunfire. A Secret Service officer sustained a gunshot wound but survived thanks to protective body armor, according to officials. Federal prosecutors indicate Allen discharged his shotgun at least one time while a Secret Service agent returned fire with five rounds. Authorities have not definitively stated whether Allen’s weapon caused the officer’s injury.
Court documents filed Wednesday seeking Allen’s continued incarceration reveal that he photographed himself in his hotel room moments before the attack, equipped with ammunition pouches, a gun holster, and a knife in its sheath. In communications that prosecutors say illuminate his intentions, Allen described himself as a “Friendly Federal Assassin” and made indirect references to complaints about various Trump administration policies.
Defense attorneys reversed course during the hearing before U.S. Magistrate Moxila Upadhyaya, agreeing to keep Allen incarcerated after previously advocating for his release in earlier filings.
Wednesday’s defense filing stated that the prosecution’s argument “is based upon inferences drawn about Mr. Allen’s intent that raise more questions than answers” and emphasized that Allen’s written statements never specifically named Trump. The defense team indicated they may seek Allen’s pre-trial release at a later date.
“The government’s evidence of the charged offense –- the attempted assassination of the president –- is thus built entirely upon speculation, even under the most generous reading of its theory,” defense lawyers wrote.
Allen’s legal team claimed that some remarks from acting Attorney General Todd Blanche “indicate that the recovered ballistics evidence is inconsistent with aspects of the government’s theory, evidence collected by the government and/or statements made by witnesses.”
The Justice Department countered that evidence demonstrates Allen fired his shotgun at least once toward the Secret Service agent. Crime scene investigators found at least one fragment matching a buckshot pellet, according to prosecutors.
“The government is aware of no physical evidence, digital video evidence, or witness statements that are inconsistent with the theory that your client fired his shotgun in the direction” of the officer or that the officer “was indeed shot once in the chest while wearing a ballistic vest,” prosecutors wrote.
Monday’s charges against Allen include the assassination attempt plus two additional weapons violations, including firing a gun during a violent crime. The assassination charge alone carries a potential life sentence upon conviction.
The 31-year-old Allen hails from Torrance, California, and works as an educated tutor while developing video games as a hobby.
