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By Joshua Rhett Miller, Amanda Castro, and Jenna Sundel
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Cole Allen, the man accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, agreed Thursday to remain in federal custody as prosecutors press their case. His decision came as the government argued he posed an ongoing danger and had meticulously planned the alleged attack. Allen’s court-appointed attorney, Tezira Abe, did not immediately respond to a request for comment midday Thursday.
This comes after prosecutors released new evidence against Cole Tomas Allen, including a selfie taken shortly before the alleged attempt on President Donald Trump’s life and photographs of weapons he carried, according to a court filing unsealed Wednesday.
The images, which were included in a 20-page memorandum seeking Allen's continued pretrial detention, show the 31-year-old man dressed in dark clothing with gear strapped to his body and detail the firearms, knives and ammunition authorities say he took to the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner.
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Allen, of Torrance, California, allegedly attempted to assassinate Trump on April 25 at the Washington Hilton, where prosecutors say he rushed a security checkpoint and fired a shotgun while moving toward a ballroom, one floor below, filled with senior government officials. Investigators allege the attack was methodically planned in advance, including cross-country travel, online research and scheduled emails outlining his intentions.
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Allen, who remained in custody on Wednesday, was armed with a shotgun, a pistol, multiple knives and daggers, and a "significant amount of ammunition for reloading," when he was stopped by Secret Service agents. He had legally purchased the firearms from separate dealers in California, prosecutors said in Wednesday's filing.
"At some point before the attack, the defendant wrote emails explaining the actions he was about to take and scheduled those emails to be sent to specific people at approximately 8:30 p.m. on April 25—just minutes before the defendant, laden with weapons, sprinted through the screening checkpoint toward the dinner," prosecutors wrote. "The email recipients included members of the defendant’s family, friends, and a former employer."
Allen apologized to relatives in the email, writing: "I wish I could have said anything earlier, but doing so would have made none of this possible," court documents show.
"My sincerest apologies for all the trouble I've caused," the message continued, prosecutors said.
Allen also allegedly wrote to an employer to apologize for his actions.
"Consider me to be submitting my resignation effective immediately [if it matters]," he wrote, the filing shows.
Allen Asks Judge for Pretrial Release
In a new court filing on Wednesday, Cole on behalf of his legal team asked the court to "fashion conditions of release and place him back into the community." In the document, the defense team says the evidence in the case favors release.
In the document reviewed by Newsweek, Cole's legal team also notes that Allen has no criminal history or prior arrest.
"The Court can impose conditions of release that will ensure both the safety of the community and Mr. Allen’s appearance at future hearings. He will certainly abide by any conditions set by this Court," the document reads.
Prosecutors Say Evidence Against Allen Is 'Overwhelming'
Allen is charged with attempted assassination of the president, interstate transportation of a firearm and ammunition with intent to commit a felony, and discharging a firearm during a violent crime.
“Had the defendant achieved his intended outcome, he would have brought about one of the darkest days in American history,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Jones wrote in the filing, adding that the evidence “of his guilt is overwhelming.”
According to prosecutors, Allen photographed himself at 8:03 p.m. Saturday inside his Washington Hilton hotel room. The image shows him wearing a black dress shirt, black slacks and a red tie tucked into his pants.
The filing says the photo also reveals a leather ammunition bag, a shoulder holster, a sheathed knife, and pliers and wire cutters—items found on him after the attack.
Minutes after taking the selfie, Allen allegedly rushed a Secret Service screening checkpoint with a 12‑gauge shotgun raised in both hands, according to the filing.
Images included in the court documents show:
- The shotgun prosecutors say Allen fired
- A loaded .38‑caliber pistol
- Multiple knives and daggers recovered from his person
Shooter’s Manifesto Detailed Intent to Target Senior Officials
Allen sent a manifesto minutes before the attack outlining his desire to target Trump administration officials, without mentioning the president by name, according to a White House official.
The document, described as filled with anti‑Trump and anti‑Christian rhetoric, was emailed to members of Allen’s family shortly before he opened fire. The official told Newsweek that the manifesto “clearly” stated Allen intended to target administration figures, and said his social media history reflected similar themes.
Trump referenced the manifesto during a Sunday interview, calling Allen “a sick guy” and saying the document made clear the suspect “hates Christians.”
Allen’s sister told investigators that he had long made “radical statements” and frequently spoke about a plan to “do something” about what he viewed as national problems. The manifesto echoed those grievances and included language referring to “a speech by a pedophile, rapist, and traitor,” which officials believe was aimed at the president.
The document also laid out a list of intended targets, prioritizing administration officials “from highest‑ranking to lowest,” according to the official.
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