Last UpdateApril 27, 2026, 9:57 PM EDT

Federal officials are working to build a case against Cole Allen, a 31-year-old California man accused of opening fire at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner in Washington, D.C., on Saturday night. Authorities have said it appeared Allen was intent on targeting Trump administration officials.

Covered by: Stephen Sorace, Bonny Chu, Chad Pergramand Greg Wehner

WHAT TO KNOW

• Cole Allen, 31, from Torrance, California is the man accused of opening fire at the Washington Hilton Hotel during the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner.
• The suspect is in custody as authorities are continuing to investigate a motive for the shooting and build a case ahead of an expected arraignment on Monday.
• President Donald Trump was whisked away from the Washington Hilton Hotel by Secret Service along with first lady Melania Trump and other high-level Cabinet officials.
• Cole Allen is facing three counts, including attempting to assassinate the president of the United States, transporting a firearm across state lines, and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.

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Coverage for this event has ended.

10 hours ago

PINNED

Pirro says feds have a ‘solid case,’ citing planning, manifesto and growing evidence

U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C., Jeanine Pirro said federal prosecutors have a “solid case” against the suspect accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump, pointing to evidence of planning, intent and a growing body of digital and physical evidence.

“We have a solid case,” Pirro said during an appearance on Fox News, noting investigators have already identified a manifesto and clear statements of intent. “It’s very clear what his intent was… it was to kill the president.”

Pirro said the case is strengthened by what she described as extensive premeditation, including the suspect’s cross-country travel, transport of weapons and advance hotel booking.

“Everything about what he did, what he said, the guns that he brought with him across state lines… I mean, this is a solid case,” she said.

She emphasized that the investigation is still in its early stages, with authorities working to map out the suspect’s digital footprint and determine whether others were involved.

“We will be able to track everything he did,” Pirro said, noting that additional charges are expected as more evidence is uncovered.

Pirro said prosecutors intend to pursue the case to the fullest extent of the law, noting the suspect faces the possibility of life in prison as officials continue to build their case.

“We’re just getting started,” she said.

Posted by Greg Wehner

8 hours ago

DOJ releases photos showing guns and knives suspect allegedly brought to dinner attack

A gun allegedly associated with alleged White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner shooter Cole Allen, as seen in an April 27, 2026 press release. (Department of Justice)

Cole Tomas Allen allegedly brought a shotgun, handgun and multiple knives to the White HouseCorrespondents’ Association Dinner, with newly released photos from the Department of Justice (DOJ), showing the weapons recovered after the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump.

The images, released as part of a DOJ press release, show a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun equipped with a sling and shell holder, along with a .38 caliber semi-automatic pistol recovered at the scene.

Additional photos show several knives, including a large fixed-blade knife and other edged weapons, as well as gear believed to have been carried by Allen at the time of the attack.

Authorities say Allen was armed with the weapons when he ran through a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton, where a gunshot rang out, striking a Secret Service officer in the chest before agents subdued and arrested him.

Investigators said the firearms were purchased in California in prior years and transported across state lines to Washington, D.C., where they were used in the alleged attack.

“Cole Allen traveled across the country with deadly weapons and a plan to assassinate the President of the United States,” U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said.

Posted by Greg Wehner

9 hours ago

AOC says she never feels safe, blasts security failure and rejects ballroom proposal

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., called the recent attack at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner a “very clear failure of systems” and urged a thorough investigation into how the suspect was able to breach security.

“I think that an attempt like this is a very clear failure of systems,” Ocasio-Cortez said, adding that officials need to determine “how such a catastrophic failure to secure the perimeter occurred.”

She dismissed conspiracy theories surrounding the incident but said events like this demand a “very thorough and very real investigation,” pointing to past security lapses that prompted oversight action.

Ocasio-Cortez also rejected calls to build a new White House ballroom, arguing the proposal predates the incident and should not be used as justification for new spending.

“The idea that they are now trying to change the rationale for this … doesn’t quite add up,” she said. “In fact, the White House long had facilities for hosting, which also included the East Wing of the White House prior to them bulldozing, the crown jewel of the American people.

“So I don’t believe that in an era where they are jacking up prices on the American people when they are gutting everyone’s health care, when people cannot afford to pay their rent and their mortgages, that we should be choosing our precious treasure, little treasure that we have in this country to build an ornate castle on a scale of which is quite unprecedented and unbelievable, without any sort of accountability to those funds,” she added.

When asked if she feels safe as a member of Congress, Ocasio-Cortez responded, “I never have.”

She said limited resources and rising political tensions have created a “dire and desperate state” that requires leaders to lower the temperature.

Posted by Greg Wehner

10 hours ago

Democrat says GOP leader Scalise helped get him to safety during dinner chaos

Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., recounted the chaotic moments inside the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner when gunfire erupted, describing how House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., helped get him to safety as attendees scrambled for cover.

Moskowitz said guests initially reacted in confusion before diving under tables as the situation became clear.

He said he heard gunshots and the crashing of plates and noticed everyone getting down under the tables.

“I looked up and I saw that the people who had protective detail were being escorted out,” Moskowitz said.

Moskowitz then approached Scalise, who survived a 2017 congressional baseball practice shooting, and asked for help.

“I got up, I went over to Steve, and I said, ‘can I come with you?’” he said. “And he put his arm around me and he said, ‘he’s with us,’ and took me into the secure room.”

The Florida Democrat said the experience underscored broader concerns about security for lawmakers without protection.

“Regular members, right? We’re sitting ducks … we don’t have details,” Moskowitz said, noting the disparity in security between leadership and other members.

He warned that rising threats against public officials could eventually lead to more serious consequences.

“At some point in time, someone’s going to harm somebody,” Moskowitz said. He also praised the Secret Service for their response, adding they “did a fantastic job” stopping the attacker.

Posted by Greg Wehner

11 hours ago

Democrat pushes back on GOP ballroom plan, urges focus on real security measures after attack

Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., pushed back on Republican efforts to build a White House ballroomfollowing the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner shooting, saying such a project is “obviously not” necessary for presidential security.

“No. It’s obviously not,” Himes said when asked if a ballroom is needed. “The way they do events at the White House is about as secure as you can get… it’s not like the president is going to do every event that he does inside the White House.”

He added that the focus should instead be on ensuring security measures “worked as it did and hopefully worked better than it did.”

Himes also addressed the broader climate surrounding the incident, calling for a unified stance against political violence.

“Political violence is unacceptable, full stop from anybody in any place for any reason,” he said, adding that he hopes leaders avoid turning such incidents into partisan blame games.

Posted by Greg Wehner

11 hours ago

Hakeem Jeffries doubles down on ‘maximum warfare’ rhetoric, tells critics ‘I don’t give a damn’

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., doubled down on his inflammatory rhetoric toward Republicans during a fiery news conference Monday, telling critics, “I don’t give a damn.”

“I stand by it,” Jeffries told reporters, when asked about his vow last week to unleash “maximum warfare” on the GOP to counter the party’s redistricting efforts ahead of November’s midterm elections. “You can continue to criticize me for it. I don’t give a damn about your criticism.”

Jeffries’ messaging sparked backlash from Republicans following the third apparent assassination attempt on President Donald Trump’slife at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner Saturday.

The top Democrat defended his choice of words by pointing to a report from The New York Times last year in which an anonymous White House staffer used the same phrase to threaten Democrats.

Find out what else Jeffries said about “maximum warfare.”

This is an excerpt from a story by Fox News Digital’s Adam Pack.

Posted by Greg Wehner

12 hours ago

Retired Secret Service agent says checkpoint stop shows security worked as designed at dinner

A retired Secret Service agent said security protocols worked as intended during the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner shooting, explaining that the suspect was stopped exactly where agents are trained to intercept threats.

“The attacker was stopped before he got into the secure area,” retired Secret Service agent Patrick Sullivan said Monday on “The Will Cain Show.” “We have three levels of security with the outer perimeter, the middle perimeter and the inner perimeter… checkpoint attacks are always done repeatedly. So we expect an attack on the checkpoint.”

Sullivan said the middle security layer — where magnetometers are set up — is designed to stop individuals carrying weapons, while the outer perimeter focuses more on surveillance and detecting larger threats like explosives.

“Usually the middle layer’s where you’re going to stop someone,” he said, noting it would be “virtually impossible” to fully secure an outer perimeter at a large public venue like a hotel.

He added that the Washington Hilton, which he called the biggest hotel in Washington, D.C., presents unique challenges due to its size and public access, with more than 1,000 rooms and constant activity near security zones.

“That’s the issue here. There’s so much activity in that hotel,” Sullivan said.

By contrast, Sullivan said a more controlled environment like the White House would provide stronger security buffers.

“The concept would be the same, but it would be much safer because you wouldn’t have ongoing businesses right next to it within feet of the middle perimeter,” he said.

Posted by Greg Wehner

12 hours ago

Newsom’s wife accuses Trump of misogyny after heated 60 Minutes clash

California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, blasted President Donald Trump over his recent “60 Minutes” interview, accusing him of showing “contempt” toward a female journalist and fueling a broader culture of misogyny.

During an interview with “60 Minutes” host Norah O’Donnell that aired Sunday, President Donald Trump pushed back after she read from the alleged shooter’s manifesto, which described administration officials as “targets” and included accusations against him.

“I was waiting for you to read that because I knew you would … you’re horrible people,” Trump said, before turning directly to O’Donnell. “I’m not any of those things … You should be ashamed of yourself reading that. You shouldn’t be reading that on ‘60 Minutes.’ You’re a disgrace, but, go ahead, let’s finish the interview.”

Siebel Newsom took to X the next day to air her frustrations with the president and his interview.

“My family and I watched the 60 Minutes interview with Donald Trump and Norah O’Donnell last night, and we were shocked,” she wrote. “Seeing a president speak to a woman journalist with that level of contempt — and a clear allergy to facts — is disturbing, though at this point not unexpected given his pattern of behavior.

“But that is the problem. Because when that level of disrespect from the highest office in the country repeats itself, it starts to trickle down into our culture and define what power looks like, shaping how boys and plenty of men see women and girls and what they come to accept as normal behavior,” Newsom added.

She went on to argue the issue reflects a broader cultural problem fueled by political division and online discourse.

“Add in rhetoric rooted in political division, amplified by a digital ecosystem that rewards outrage and misinformation, and this cultural norm of hate, othering, and misogyny becomes pervasive,” Newsom continued. “Behavior that should be challenged gets normalized; what should raise concern is amplified and cheered on.

“It’s no wonder we have a culture that normalizes dominance and aggression toward women and girls, which not only silences them but also leads to internalized misogyny in others,” she added. “Thank you to Norah, all of the female journalists, and frankly to all of YOU who continue to be brave and speak truth to power.”

Posted by Greg Wehner

13 hours ago

Landry says shots sounded routine before agents rushed in and revealed danger at dinner

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said the White HouseCorrespondents’ Association Dinner shooting initially sounded like something routine before the situation quickly became clear, describing the chaotic moments from inside the venue while praising law enforcement’s response.

Landry, who attended the dinner Saturday, said on Fox News’ “America Reports” that the gunfire wasn’t immediately recognized by guests.

“When the shots happened, they were muffled because it was on the floor above us,” he said. “For me, in terms of safety, it sounded like somebody warming up a drum or something. And then you saw all of the Secret Service agents come into the dining room, and you start realizing that there is something actually happening.”

He credited authorities with handling the situation swiftly and professionally as attendees were escorted out.

“It was amazing to see the work that the Secret Service did,” Landry said, quoting former President Franklin Roosevelt. “Law enforcement and everyone operated in a very professional manner, and they were able to move everyone out of the facility easily, even after that event.”

Despite the scare, Landry said the event should continue and Americans should not be deterred by violence.

“We have nothing to fear but fear itself,” he said. “Americans are not a fearing country… We should absolutely — and especially standing on the First Amendment, which is what that dinner is all about — we should absolutely have it.”

Landry also pointed to the incident as a reason to reconsider the venue, suggesting a permanent White House ballroom could help avoid similar risks in the future, saying such a setting would eliminate concerns tied to hosting the event in a public hotel.

Posted by Greg Wehner

13 hours ago

Rand Paul to propose fast track bill for White House ballroom after dinner security scare

Sen. Rand Paul (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., said he plans to introduce legislation Tuesday to fast-track approval of a proposed White House ballroom following the recent security scare at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner.

Paul, who chairs the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and serves on the National Capital Planning Commission, said the bill would allow the project to move forward without additional taxpayer funding while streamlining congressional review of major White House infrastructure projects.

“Following the security scare at the Correspondents’ Dinner, it is clear we need efficient, responsible processes to address White House infrastructure needs,” Paul said. “My bill cuts through the unnecessary legal delays getting in the way of the East Wing modernization project.”

Paul added that the proposal would ensure the ballroom is funded privately, protect taxpayers and create a faster approval process for future upgrades while maintaining congressional oversight, saying he plans to seek unanimous consent to pass the measure.

Posted by Greg Wehner

14 hours ago

Hawley calls for immediate hearings after alleged assassination attempt at dinner

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., is calling for immediate congressional hearings following the alleged attempted assassination of President Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner.

“The American people deserve full transparency following yet ANOTHER assassination attempt on President Trump’s life,” Hawley wrote on X. “Congress should hold hearings immediately.”

In a letter to Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Rand Paul, Hawley said the April 25 incident — in which a gunman breached a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton and injured a Secret Service officer — raises serious concerns about presidential security and whether past reforms have been fully implemented.

“This latest incident — the third apparent attempt on President Trump’s life in less than two years — raises questions about presidential security arrangements, potential resource needs, and the degree to which reforms previously proposed by Congress have been adopted,” Hawley wrote. “Given these recent events, I believe it is necessary for the Committee to convene a hearing to assess the adequacy of presidential security arrangements and resources in the current threat environment.”

Posted by Greg Wehner

14 hours ago

Axelrod says Kimmel joke about Melania was tasteless, urges apology amid backlash

President Barack Obama’s former aide David Axelrod weighed in on backlash against Jimmy Kimmel after the late-night host mocked first lady Melania Trump in a White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner parody just days before the event was disrupted by a shooting.

“I like @jimmykimmel. He’s funny & courageous at a time when there has been too much cowardice,” Axelrod wrote on X. “That said, this WAS a tasteless joke. The WH will use any issue to demand he be fired because his satire touches a nerve, and ABC is right to resist. But he’d be right to apologize.”

Kimmel drew criticism for a segment in which he mocked President Donald Trump and the first lady, referring to Melania Trump as “an expectant widow” and joking about their marriage.

“Our First Lady, Melania, is here. Look at Melania, so beautiful. Mrs. Trump, you have a glow like an expectant widow,” Kimmel said. “Oh, by the way, Melania, this is Donald. Donald, this is Melania.”

The comedian pivoted to the first lady’s April 26 birthday and imagined how she would mark the occasion.

“She’s planning to celebrate at home the same way she always does, looking out a window and whispering, ‘What have I done?’” Kimmel said.

The remarks came just days before the annual dinner in Washington, D.C., was thrown into chaos when authorities say a California man rushed a Secret Service checkpoint at the Washington Hilton armed with multiple weapons and opened fire, injuring an officer, intensifying scrutiny over political rhetoric surrounding the event.

Posted by Greg Wehner