The alleged gunman behind a shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner is expected to be arraigned in federal court Monday.
Cole Tomas Allen, 31, could face firearm and assault charges after he allegedly tried to breach the event at the Washington Hilton ballroom Saturday night, which was attended by President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, senior government officials and hundreds of journalists.
Gunshots rang out shortly after 8:30 p.m. at the black-tie event, with Secret Service rushing Trump and other senior officials from the top table to safety. Other guests raced for exits while some took cover under tables as law enforcement swarmed the area with weapons drawn. The suspect shot and injured one law enforcement officer before being detained near the security screening area.
The suspected gunman left behind a note suggesting he was targeting top administration officials, whom he accused of sexual misconduct.
He signed the document, “Cole ‘coldForce’ ‘Friendly Federal Assassin’ Allen.”
When asked about the suspected shooter’s manifesto by CBS News over the weekend, Trump reacted angrily.
“I’m not a rapist. I didn’t rape anybody… I’m not a pedophile,” the president said, despite the suspected shooter not naming the president directly.
Read MoreKing’s US state visit will go ahead as planned after Washington shooting, Buckingham Palace says
White House reporters became the story as Correspondents’ Dinner turned into breaking news
Key Points
- Suspect Cole Tomas Allen due in federal court today
- Acting AG Todd Blanche says Trump officials were attacker's targets
- How the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting unfolded
- Donald Trump lashes out at CBS journalist for quoting from suspect’s manifesto
- White House adds 1pm press briefing
Recap: Suspect due in court after storming White House Correspondents’ Dinner
08:38 , Joe Sommerlad, Ariana BaioWelcome to The Independent’s U.S. politics liveblog.
If you’re just joining us, here’s a recap of our top story:
- A gunman attempted to storm the White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton Hotel Saturday night, with shots fired before he was apprehended by the Secret Service
- President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, senior Cabinet officials and hundreds of journalists were in attendance in the ballroom when shots were fired.
- One Secret Service agent was shot but protected from serious injury by a bulletproof vest. The agent has since been discharged from hospital. No one else was harmed
- The suspect, Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old computer programmer from Torrance, California, is scheduled to appear in court to face charges Monday.
- Allen allegedly called himself a "Friendly Federal Assassin" and had an anti-Trump manifesto.
- Trump called for the dinner to be held in the coming weeks as the White House revisits security protocols surrounding the president
- King Charles and Queen Camilla are en route to Washington D.C., with a planned royal visit going ahead this week, with minor adjustments.
Watch: Ex-Secret Service agent says Trump should have fewer cabinet members at events in wake of DC shooting
17:00 , Independent VideoWhite House officials meeting to discuss security protocol at events: report
16:20 , Ariana BaioTop officials in the White House are reportedly meeting this week with senior members of the Secret Service and the Department of Homeland Security to discuss security protocol at events going forward, White House officials told PBS.
After a suspected gunman rushed through security checkpoints at the Washington Hilton Hotel, armed with weapons, as the White House Correspondents Dinner was underway, officials are re-evaluating security.
The upcoming meeting will examine security steps that have been successful as well as “additional options” for future events, people familiar with the matter told PBS.
Melania Trump slams Jimmy Kimmel, asks ABC to ‘take a stand’
15:49 , Ariana BaioFirst Lady Melania Trump lashed out at late-night host Jimmy Kimmel on X Monday morning, calling his behavior “atrocious” for cracking jokes about the first lady, Jeffrey Epstein and more in a monologue that aired Friday, before the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
Two nights before the event, Kimmel parodied the dinner speech in a monologue that joked about Epstein introducing Melania and Donald Trump – something the first lady vehemently disputes – as well as Melania becoming “an expectant widow.”
“Kimmel’s hateful and violent rhetoric is intended to divide our country. His monologue about my family isn’t comedy- his words are corrosive and deepens the political sickness within America,” Melania Trump wrote on X.
Kimmel’s hateful and violent rhetoric is intended to divide our country. His monologue about my family isn’t comedy- his words are corrosive and deepens the political sickness within America.
— First Lady Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) April 27, 2026
People like Kimmel shouldn’t have the opportunity to enter our homes each evening to…
ID was not needed to get into the dinner
15:23 , Ariana BaioDespite attending a high-profile event featuring the president of the United States, attendees did not need to show physical identification to enter the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday evening.
Reporters with The Independent who attended the dinner said they were asked to show their dinner tickets, but were never asked to show ID.
The hotel dinner security protocol has raised questions about the ability of a 31-year-old man to rush the security checkpoint armed with multiple firearms – not far from the room where the president and other high-ranking officials were seated.
White House adds 1pm press briefing
15:03 , Ariana BaioWhite House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced this morning there would be a press briefing at 1 p.m.
In Photos: Law enforcement investigate home associated with suspected shooter
14:55 , Ariana Baio
What to know about suspected shooter’s arraignment
14:43 , Ariana BaioThe man accused of unleashing gunfire at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner is set to be arraigned in the District of Columbia federal court today.
Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, will make his first appearance on charges that have not been formally filed yet, but that U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said would consist of assault of a federal officer and using a firearm during a crime of violence.
Potential other charges could include attempted assassination, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche indicated. However, those are still under investigation.
Acting Attorney General doesn’t confirm if there was a designated survivor
14:32 , Ariana BaioThe president, vice president, speaker of the House and many other officials in the direct presidential line of succession were all in attendance at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner – but it’s unclear whether there was a designated survivor.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche declined to comment on whether there was a designated survivor for the annual black-tie dinner when asked by CBS News this weekend.
“All those folks were in their room and more, and yet we were all safe. Law enforcement did their jobs,” Blanche said.
A designated survivor is an official in the line of succession who is kept at a distance from an event attended by other officials if there is a mass casualty. Notably, there is a designated survivor for the State of the Union address and presidential inaugurations.
First Lady has long been concerned about security
14:03 , Ariana BaioFirst Lady Melania Trump has been consistently worried about security around her family since her husband, President Donald Trump, was nearly assassinated in Butler, Pennsylvania, before the 2024 election.
The first lady was visibly shaken in the White House Briefing Room after the shooting at the Washington Hilton at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner Saturday evening, CNN reported.
The president seemed to acknowledge his wife’s concerns during his briefing, saying it was “a rather traumatic experience” for Melania Trump, who has maintained a relatively low profile even while serving in one of the highest positions in the United States.
In her documentary, Melania, the first lady raised security concerns while planning for the inaugural ball, asking how officials plan to secure the area given the two assassination attempts on her husband’s life.
UFC boss Dana White brags he refused to duck for cover while calling shooting attack: ‘F***ing awesome’
13:30 , Joe SommerladThe combat sport impresario, a good friend of the president, had this to say about his experience of Saturday night: “It started to get noisy. Tables started getting flipped over, guys running with guns and they were screaming, ‘Get down!’ I didn’t get down. It was f***ing awesome and I literally took every minute of it in.”
Here’s Paul Farrell’s report.
Dana White brags he refused to duck for cover during correspondents’ shooting
Analysis: Why the King’s soft power will be more important than ever in wake of shooting
13:10 , Joe SommerladLooking ahead to other events today, King Charles is embarking on his four-day visit to the United States, with his arrival in Washington given the go-ahead Sunday after talks about his security were held in light of the drama at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
Here’s our world affairs editor Sam Kiley on his majesty and the sensitivity of the moment.
Why the King’s soft power will be more important than ever in wake of shooting
Watch: Oz Pearlman reveals what he was showing Melania Trump as shots were fired at Correspondents' Dinner
12:50 , Joe SommerladThe mentalist who was hired as the evening’s entertainment and was pictured speaking to the first lady when the shots rang out has given his account of what happened to CNN’s Dana Bash.
Recap: Erika Kirk hid under table after gunfire erupted at correspondents’ dinner: ‘I just want to go home’
12:30 , Joe SommerladA sobbing Erika Kirk – who lost her husband, Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk, to gun violence last year – was seen being ushered out of the Washington Hilton in the wake of Saturday night’s shooting.
CNN’s Sara Sidner posted a clip of Kirk hurriedly walking from the ballroom, choking up and saying: “I just want to go home.”
Paul Farrell has more.
Erika Kirk hid under table after gunfire erupted at correspondents’ dinner
Trump slams conspiracy theories as ‘staged’ trends after Correspondents’ Dinner shooting
12:10 , Joe SommerladThe president has addressed the instant conspiracy theories that have been swirling around the internet concerning Saturday night’s events, with many commentators alleging they were “staged” to invite sympathy for Trump amid sagging poll numbers, ongoing economic concern and the deep unpopularity of his Iran war.
“I think they’re more sick than they are con people,” the president told Norah O’Donnell on 60 Minutes, referring to the conspiracy theorists.
“But there’s a lot of con in there too.”
Owen Scott takes a closer look.
Trump slams conspiracies as ‘Staged’ trends after Correspondents’ Dinner shooting
Recap: Suspect sent anti-Trump manifesto to his family before opening fire
11:50 , Joe SommerladEric Garcia has more here on the political tract Allen sent to his family shortly before his attempted assault on the Correspondents’ Dinner, in which he chillingly referred to himself as the “Friendly Federal Assassin.”
White House Correspondents’ Dinner suspect sent anti-Trump manifesto to family
Trump back to business as usual on Truth Social
11:30 , Joe SommerladThe president’s latest posts on his social media platform suggest a reversion to business as usual, with him congratulating country singer Lee Greenwood (the man behind the perennial Trump rally anthem “God Bless the U.S.A.”) on the birth of his first grandchild.
“Lee and Kim Greenwood, two of the most spectacular people, had their first grandchild on April 17th. They were with me from the very beginning - Total loyalty, and Lee gave me the greatest walk on song of all time, nothing even close!!! Congratulations to you both!!!”
He also responds “GREAT IDEA!!! DO IT” to another user who suggests that his federal immigration troops should be renamed NICE, instead of ICE, to stand for National Immigration and Customs Enforcement “so the media has to say NICE agents all day everyday.”
Trump blames ‘very dangerous hate speech of the Democrats’ for political violence
11:10 , Joe SommerladThe president also took the opportunity during his CBS interview to blame the opposition for their rhetoric inspiring political violence, risking exactly the sort of partisan division he was warning against by not holding conservatives equally accountable.
Owen Scott reports.
Trump blames ‘very dangerous hate speech of the Democrats’ for political violence
Trump calls journalist ‘horrible person’ for confronting him with suspect’s alleged manifesto
10:50 , Joe SommerladThe president angrily took issue with CBS reporter Norah O’Donnell during his 60 Minutes interview last night after she presented him with accusations made in the political tract investigators said was written by Cole Tomas Allen.
“I am no longer willing to permit a pedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes,” O’Donnell read aloud, quoting Allen, causing Trump to bristle.
“I was waiting for you to read that because I knew you would, because you’re horrible people,” the president answered. “Horrible people. Yeah, he did write that. I’m not a rapist. I didn’t rape anybody… I’m not a pedophile.”
He continued, alluding to accusations associated with long-running the Jeffrey Epstein scandal: “You read that crap from some sick person. I got associated with stuff that has nothing to do with me. I was totally exonerated.
“You should be ashamed of yourself for reading that, because I’m not any of those things. You shouldn’t be reading that on 60 Minutes. You’re a disgrace.”
The president has long denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein and has never been formally accused of a crime relating to the late pedophile.
This is what else Trump had to say in his CBS interview:
Why Trump, MAGA and Fetterman say Correspondents’ Dinner shooting seals deal for $400M White House ballroom
10:30 , Joe SommerladThe president of the United States, his conservative allies, and even a Senate Democrat have pressed the case for his $400 million East Wing ballroom construction in the hours after a shooting at the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner left nearly the entire cabinet and D.C. press corps ducking for cover minutes into the event.
For months, the construction of Trump’s desired White House ballroom has made headlines and even seemed to consume the president’s attention during unrelated events, where Trump will often go on diatribes about the construction process or building plans. A federal judge halted the project earlier this month, while allowing construction of a secure bunker on the White House complex to continue.
Trump had the residence’s iconic East Wing demolished without warning to make room for the structure.
But Saturday evening’s chaos added a new twinge of urgency to the president’s statements and elicited a wave of new calls for the event space’s construction on the White House’s grounds from supporters of the president, many of whom had previously ignored or shied away from defending what Democrats call a grift-filled vanity project.
John Bowden reports.
Why Trump and MAGA say correspondents’ shooting seals deal for $400M ballroom
Watch: Eyewitness describes panic after gunshots heard at White House Correspondents’ Dinner
10:10 , Joe SommerladSuspect Cole Tomas Allen due in court today
09:50 , Joe SommerladJeanine Pirro, the U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C, has said the suspect will be charged on two counts: use of a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon.
Pirro said that the defendant would be arraigned Monday in federal court at 1 p.m. local time.
He is currently being held in a police jail cell around half-a-mile from the Washington Hilton.
If convicted of both counts, he faces up to 15 years in prison.
Here’s a full report on everything we know about Allen from Mike Bedigan and Paul Farrell.
What we know about suspected White House Correspondents’ Dinner gunman
Watch: Moment Trump is rushed off the stage after shots at White House Correspondents' Dinner
09:30 , Joe SommerladGunfire, chaos, and a defiant Trump: How the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting unfolded
09:10 , Joe SommerladHere’s Maira Butt with a minute-by-minute timeline detailing precisely how Saturday night’s shocking events played out.
Moment-by-moment breakdown of how Trump dinner shooting unfolded
Turkey's Erdogan offers support to Trump in call after gala dinner shooting
08:07 , Namita SinghTurkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan offered his support for US president Donald Trump in a phone call following a shooting at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner, the Turkish presidency said late on Sunday.
"Erdogan said he saw the incident as a heinous act against democracy and press freedom," the presidency said in a statement on X.
Earlier, Erdogan had condemned the incident in a separate statement on X, saying he was happy that Trump and first lady Melania Trump were unharmed.
Trump lashes out at CBS News for quoting from suspect’s manifesto
08:05 , Namita SinghUS president Donald Trump lashed out at CBS News yesterday, calling it “disgraceful” for quoting from the suspect's manifesto on 60 Minutes on Sunday.
Shooting suspect Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old from Torrance, California, is alleged to have sent an anti-Trump manifesto to his family members moments before the shooting, calling himself the “Friendly Federal Assassin”.
“I am no longer willing to permit a pedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes,” the letter read.
Trump took issue with the CBS News interviewer for bringing up the manifesto, before declaring: “I’m not a pedophile” and “I’m not a rapist”.
Video: Trump says King Charles will be 'very safe' on his US state visit
07:31 , Namita SinghChaotic scene unfolded minutes after gala began
07:30 , Namita SinghThe shooting at the security barricades happened minutes after the event got underway.The Secret Service and other authorities swarmed the room as guests ducked under tables by the hundreds.
Gasps echoed through the ballroom as guests realized something was happening. Hundreds of journalists immediately got on phones to call in information.
"Out of the way, sir!" someone yelled. Others yelled to duck. From one corner, a "God Bless America" chant began as the president was escorted offstage.
Outside the hotel, members of the National Guard and other authorities flooded the area as helicopters circled overhead.After an initial attempt to resume the event, it was scrapped for the night and will be rescheduled.
Donald Trump was unusually conciliatory after what he saw as a third attempt on his life in less than two years. He suggested that his personal politics had made him a repeated target, but he also called for unity and bipartisan healing in an increasingly violent world.
"It's always shocking when something like this happens. Happened to me, a little bit. And that never changes," Trump told reporters in a hastily organized news conference at the White House late on Saturday.
Video: Trump says he 'wasn't making it any easier' for Secret Service during WHCD shooting
07:17 , Namita SinghActing head of Justice Department says Trump officials were targets
06:24 , Namita SinghShooting suspect Cole Tomas Allen is believed to have traveled by train from California to Chicago and then onto Washington, where he checked himself in as a guest at the hotel where the gala dinner was held with its typically tight security, said acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. He is believed to have acted alone and is set to face criminal charges on Monday.
Authorities say Allen attempted to charge toward the cavernous ballroom at the Washington Hilton but was tackled to the ground in a violent scene that resulted in shots being fired, US president Donald Trump being hurried off the stage unharmed and guests ducking for cover beneath their tables.
"It does appear that he did in fact set out to target folks who work in the administration, likely including the president," Blanche told NBC.
Suspect's brother reached out to Connecticut police
06:17 , Namita SinghSuspect Cole Tomas Allen's brother contacted police in New London, Connecticut, after receiving the writings, according to the law enforcement official, who was not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity.
The New London Police Department said in a statement it was contacted at 10.49pm, about two hours after the shooting, by an individual who wanted to share information related to it. The police department said it then immediately notified federal law enforcement.
Allen's sister, who lives in Maryland, told investigators her brother had legally purchased several weapons from a California gun store and kept them at their parents' home in Torrance without their knowledge, according to the official.
She described her brother as prone to making radical statements, the official said.
Allen legally bought a .38-caliber semiautomatic pistol in October 2023 and a 12-gauge shotgun two years later, according to the law enforcement official and another one who also spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation.
DC gala shooting suspect aired grievances against Trump in writings to family
06:13 , Namita SinghThe man accused of opening fire at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner railed against Donald Trump administration policies and referred to himself as a "Friendly Federal Assassin" in writings sent to family members minutes before an attack that authorities increasingly believe was politically motivated, according to a message reviewed by The Associated Press.
The writings, sent shortly before shots were fired on Saturday night at the Washington Hilton, made repeated references to president Donald Trump without naming him directly and alluded to grievances over a range of administration actions, including US strikes on boats accused of smuggling drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean.
Investigators are treating the writings, along with a trail of social media posts and interviews with family members, as some of the clearest evidence yet of the suspect's mindset and possible motives.
Authorities uncovered what one law enforcement official described as numerous anti-Trump social media posts linked to the suspect, Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old California man accused of trying to breach a security checkpoint at the dinner while armed with multiple guns and knives.
Suspect armed with handgun, shotgun and multiple knives
05:52 , Namita SinghWashington Interim Police Chief Jeffery Carroll said the suspect, Cole Tomas Allen, was armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives.
Allen had purchased two handguns and a shotgun and stored them at his parents' home, the White House official said.
The suspect lived with his parents in a two-story house on a tree-lined street with picket fences and craftsman-style homes in the historic district of Torrance, a seaside town in the South Bay area of greater Los Angeles.
Neighbors in the middle-class neighborhood on Sunday said they were only casually acquainted with him and his parents, with most saying they never spoke to him beyond a brief hello or waving to them as they gave Halloween candy to trick-or-treaters.
Suspect Cole Allen sent anti-Trump manifesto to family before opening fire
05:44 , Namita SinghThe suspected shooter at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner sent a manifesto critical of President Donald Trump to his family before he allegedly opened fire at the Washington Hilton, The New York Post reports.
Authorities identified the shooter as 31-year-old Cole Allen, a teacher from Torrance, California. Allen’s brother notified police in the New London, Connecticut, police department. Allen’s document was signed “Cole ‘coldForce’ ‘Friendly Federal Assassin’ Allen”.
The Post reported that the manifesto showed that Allen allegedly wanted to kill officials from the Trump administration.
More here:
White House Correspondents’ Dinner suspect sent anti-Trump manifesto to family
Most Americans believe political rhetoric is encouraging violence
05:24 , Namita SinghConservative political activist Charlie Kirk was shot dead at a rally last September, just months after the June 2025 slaying of Democratic Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband and the wounding of a Minnesota state senator.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted in the days following Kirk's murder found Americans believe increasingly harsh rhetoric surrounding politics is encouraging violence in the US.
A White House official said law enforcement officials who interviewed suspect Cole Tomas Allen's sister were told he had a tendency to make radical statements, had attended an anti-Trump “No Kings” protest and referred to a plan to do "something" to fix issues with today's world.
Video: Trump says 'NFL should hire' WHCD shooting suspect
05:22 , Namita SinghWhat happened at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner?
05:22 , Namita SinghOfficials have said the suspect fired a shotgun at a Secret Service agent at a security checkpoint in the Washington Hilton hotel before being tackled and arrested.
Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, vice president JD Vance and Cabinet officials were rushed out as the incident unfolded. The Secret Service agent who was shot escaped serious injury because the bullet struck his protective vest, Trump said.
Trump, who had boycotted the media gala in the past, has requested that the dinner be rescheduled within 30 days. White House Correspondents' Association President Weijia Jiang of CBS said the group's board would determine their next steps.
The suspect will be charged in federal court on Monday with assault of a federal officer, discharging a firearm and attempting to kill a federal officer, acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche said, adding he did not know if there was an Iran connection to the attack.
Further federal indictments will be coming later, Blanche said.
Video: Trump makes fresh case for controversial $400 million ballroom after WHCD shooting
05:18 , Namita SinghWhy Trump, MAGA and Fetterman say correspondents’ dinner shooting seals the deal for $400M White House ballroom
05:01 , Namita SinghThe president of the United States, his MAGA allies, and even a Senate Democrat pressed the case for his $400 million White House ballroom construction in the hours after a shooting at the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner left nearly the entire Cabinet and DC press corps ducking for cover minutes into the event.
For months, the construction of President Donald Trump’s desired White House ballroom has made headlines and even seemed to consume the president’s attention during unrelated events, where Trump will often go on diatribes about the construction process or building plans. A federal judge halted the project earlier this month, while allowing construction of a secure bunker on the White House complex to continue.
Trump had the residence’s iconic East Wing demolished without warning to make room for the structure.
More here:
MAGA lawmaker introducing legislation to pave way for Trump’s ballroom
05:00 , Namita SinghRepublican lawmakers plan to turn President Donald Trump’s call to create his ballroom after the shooting at the White House Correspondents Dinner on Saturday evening into legislation.
Sen. Tim Sheehy, a freshman from Montana, said that this week, he will request unanimous consent for legislation to express support for the creation of the ballroom in the East Wing of the White House.
“It is an embarrassment to the strongest nation on earth that we cannot host gatherings in our nation’s capital, including ones attended by our President, without the threat of violence and attempted assassinations,” Sheehy said.
Report:
MAGA lawmaker introducing legislation to pave way for Trump’s ballroom
Ex-volleyball teammate describes experience with Cole Tomas Allen
05:00 , Josh MarcusWhite House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting suspect Cole Tomas Allen was “super stable” and didn’t seem like someone who would commit violence, according to his former high school volleyball teammate.
“He was probably the most gentle person on the team, which makes it even more shocking that he did this,” the ex-teammate told NBC News.
He added that Allen was “really, really smart.”
“Other people study hard,” the teammate said. “He didn’t have to study. It would just come to him.”
Trump calls suspect in press dinner attack 'pretty sick guy' whose views alarmed relatives
04:22 , Namita SinghUS president Donald Trump said that the suspect accused of trying to attack administration officials at a black-tie gala on Saturday night was a "pretty sick guy" who had been flagged to law enforcement by family members.
Trump said in TV interviews that the suspect, whom an official identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, of Torrance, California, had posted what Trump described as an "anti-Christian" manifesto.
"He was a Christian, believer, and then he became an anti-Christian, and he had a lot of change," Trump told CBS News. "He was probably a pretty sick guy."
In the manifesto, Allen calls himself the "Friendly Federal Assassin" and said he planned to attack Trump administration officials, prioritizing them from highest-ranking to lowest but excluding FBI Director Kash Patel, a law enforcement official told Reuters.
Allen cited Christian theology as he said he was trying to protect those harmed by the administration's policies.
What to expect as shooting investigation heads into new week
04:10 , Josh MarcusInvestigators are scouring the Washington Hilton hotel and a Southern California home for more details on Cole Tomas Allen, the man accused of firing shots at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday.
Allen, a teacher, allegedly traveled from his home in Torrance, California, to Chicago and then onto Washington by rail, according to officials.
Once in the capital, he used legally purchased firearms in his alleged attack at the dinner.
Allen is not cooperating with officials, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told Face the Nation on Sunday.
The 31-year-old suspect is expected to face weapons and assault charges, and could face further allegations in the future.
"There's a lot of federal charges that could be in play beyond those two charges, but it depends on us understanding his motive, his intent, his premeditation of what led into him deciding he was going to do what he did last night," Blanche added.
Allen is set to be arraigned on Monday.
King and Queen reach out to Trump after shooting at White House correspondents’ dinner
04:09 , Namita SinghKing Charles and Queen Camilla have privately reached out to US president Donald Trump and his wife – first lady Melania Trump – to express their sympathies after a shooting at a White House Correspondents’ dinner, a palace source said.
British senior minister Darren Jones said earlier on Sunday that the government would continue to cooperate closely with US security services ahead of Charles' visit and that extensive discussions already under way would continue in the coming days.
"In respect of His Majesty's visit to the United States next week ... our security services obviously remain in close cooperation in advance of that," Jones told Sky News.
King Charles' visit to US to proceed after Washington shooting
03:58 , Namita SinghKing Charles' state visit to the US will go ahead as planned on Monday despite a shooting at a White House dinner attended by president Donald Trump, Buckingham Palace said after discussions with US officials.
Charles and his wife, Queen Camilla, are due to arrive on Monday for a four-day state visit, but questions arose after a man opened fire on security personnel near the White House Correspondents' Association dinner on Saturday, prompting Secret Service agents to rush Trump from the venue.
"I think it's great; he'll be very safe," Trump said in an interview on CBS News. "The White House grounds are really safe."
Trump also said there was no indication from authorities that there were additional threats to himself or other officials.
US authorities believe the shooting likely targeted the president and administration officials, acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche said.
Blanche also said he was confident Charles would be safe during this week's visit to the US.
The four-day trip – which is to include a private meeting with Trump and an address to Congress marking 250 years since US independence – is intended to reinforce the strained US-British relationship amid differences over the Iran war.
What we've learned from shooting suspect's family
02:10 , Josh MarcusFamily members reportedly raised red flags about the man accused of carrying out Saturday’s shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
Prior to the shooting, suspect Cole Tomas Allen allegedly sent a manifesto to his family, reportedly prompting Allen’s brother to get in touch with the New London, Connecticut, police department.
Separately, after the shooting, Allen’s sister reportedly spoke with the Secret Service and Washington-area police.
She told them her brother had a tendency to make radical claims and had spoken of a desire to do “something” to fix present-day issues, a senior administration official told NBC News.
Allen had two handguns and a shotgun at home in Torrance, California, that he hid from his parents, she reportedly said.
Hakeem Jeffries fires back at those attacking Democrats after shooting
01:40 , Josh MarcusHouse Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries had a sharp response on Sunday for those linking Democrats to Saturday’s shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
“America will not be lectured about civility by far right extremists in Congress,” the New York congressman wrote on X. “Particularly those who provide aid and comfort to hundreds of violent rioters who brutally beat police officers on January 6. There will be ample time to vigorously debate the issues of the day. Now is a time to unify.”
As The Independent has previously reported, recent acts of political violence have been carried out by individuals tied to left- and right-wing ideologies alike.
Why political violence has spiked in the Trump era and what can be done to stop it
