Feds add D.C. terrorism charge for White House Correspondents’ Dinner gunman

WASHINGTON — A federal grand jury has added an attempted terrorism charge to the case of Cole Tomas Allen, the man arrested after he opened fire at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner in April.

Allen now faces a total of five counts, including a top charge of attempting to assassinate the president of the United States. If convicted, federal prosecutors could potentially seek a federal terrorism sentencing enhancement. Allen previously pleaded not guilty in connection with the April 25 incident. He has not pleaded to the new charge.

While there is no federal domestic terrorism statute that broadly outlaws acts of terrorism, Allen has been charged under a local D.C. terrorism law. The same D.C. statute was used against Floyd Fee Corkins, the gunman who was convicted of attacking the Family Research Council in 2012.

The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia is unique in that it prosecutes both federal crimes as well as most local crimes involving adult defendants, so it considers violations of both federal and state laws. The president appoints the head of the office, which is currently led by former judge and Fox News host Jeanine Pirro.

Allen, federal prosecutors alleged, “attempted to kill the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump” when he charged through a Secret Service security checkpoint “armed with a 12-gauge pump action shotgun, a .38caliber pistol, multiple knives and daggers, and a significant amount of ammunition.”

Trump and Vice President JD Vance were rushed off the stage after Allen charged toward the ballroom at the Washington Hilton where the White House Correspondents’ Dinner was being held.

Federal authorities allege that Allen scheduled emails to be sent to his family, friends and former employer explaining his actions.

A jury trial has been set for Sept. 7, 2027 before U.S. Judge Trevor N. McFadden. A status conference is scheduled for Dec. 4.