Federal prosecutors release video of alleged White House dinner assassination plot

Federal prosecutors on Thursday released video that they say captures the moments a man armed with firearms and knives tried to force his way into the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner and kill President Donald Trump. The suspect, identified by federal prosecutors as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, was arraigned Monday in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on charges including attempted assassination of the president, interstate transportation of a firearm and ammunition with intent to commit a felony, and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence.

The Justice Department says Allen traveled from the Los Angeles area by train, moving through Chicago before arriving in Washington on April 24, and stayed at the Washington Hilton from April 24 through April 26. Investigators say the video released by the U.S. Attorney for D.C. also shows Allen engaging with security at the hotel and casing the Hilton the day before the shooting. Prosecutors added that a hotel-room selfie taken at about 8:03 p.m. on April 25 showed Allen wearing clothing and gear consistent with items later recovered.

The most consequential security fact is that Allen was stopped before he reached the ballroom, but only after he breached a Secret Service checkpoint outside the room where about 2,600 guests had gathered, including Trump, first lady Melania Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, administration officials and journalists. One officer was injured in the line of duty. The sequence suggests the protective perimeter worked at the last line, while the outer layers were still vulnerable enough for an armed suspect to get close to one of Washington’s highest-profile political events.

The White House Correspondents’ Association said the shooting was a harrowing moment and expressed gratitude to the Secret Service and all law enforcement personnel. The group said its dinner exists to celebrate the First Amendment and the work of journalists defending it, and said it would meet to assess what happened and decide how to proceed. Nancy Pelosi called the attack a terrifying act of violence and said she was relieved the president, first lady and everyone inside were safe.

The FBI said the public can submit tips as the case continues, and prosecutors described the episode as politically violent conduct that could have led to an unimaginable tragedy. For security planners, the video is now evidence of both a threat narrowly contained and a breach that demands a harder look at how journalists, officials and large political gatherings are protected.