White House Dinner Gunman Faces Terrorism Charge: Case, Trial & Sentence
Prosecutors added a terrorism charge against Cole Tomas Allen, accused of firing at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, carrying up to life in prison.
Image: Wikimedia Commons / angela n. from Washington, DC
WASHINGTON — Federal prosecutors have added a terrorism charge against the man accused of opening fire at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner in April, in a case that already carried an attempted-assassination count. The U.S. Department of Justice said on Friday that a five-count superseding indictment had been unsealed.
Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, is accused of charging through a Secret Service checkpoint at the Washington Hilton on April 25, 2026, carrying a shotgun, a pistol, knives and dozens of rounds of ammunition. Prosecutors said he fired the shotgun at a Secret Service officer, striking the officer’s bulletproof vest, as he tried to reach the ballroom.
Key Takeaways
- Prosecutors unsealed a five-count superseding indictment on Friday, November 13, adding a terrorism count against Cole Tomas Allen, 31.
- The new count, under D.C. law, covers the attempted first-degree murder of the president and carries up to life in prison.
- Allen already faced four federal counts, including attempted assassination of the president.
- Jury selection is set for September 7, 2027, before U.S. District Judge Trevor N. McFadden.
What Happened at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on April 25
Prosecutors said Allen travelled across the country by train from California before the dinner, armed with a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun, a pistol, knives and dozens of rounds of ammunition. He was staying at the Washington Hilton.
Shortly after 8:30 p.m., prosecutors said, Allen ran through a Secret Service security checkpoint and fired the shotgun, hitting an officer in the chest. The officer’s bulletproof vest stopped the shot, and officers detained Allen at the scene. No one else was reported hurt, and Trump was unharmed. Allen was first charged by complaint, and a grand jury returned a four-count indictment on May 5, 2026. He pleaded not guilty on May 11 and has not yet entered a plea to the new count.
What Is the New Terrorism Charge Against Cole Tomas Allen?
The added count charges Allen with committing an act of terrorism while armed under District of Columbia Code Section 22-3153, for the attempted first-degree murder of the president. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia announced the filing; the FBI Washington Field Office investigated.
There is no broad federal domestic terrorism statute, so prosecutors used the District’s own terrorism law — the same statute used against Floyd Fee Corkins, who was convicted over the 2012 attack on the Family Research Council. Prosecutors said the new count could open the door to a terrorism sentencing enhancement if Allen is convicted. The Justice Department said the maximum penalty Allen faces is life imprisonment.
When Is the Trial and What Happens Next?
Jury selection is scheduled to begin on September 7, 2027, before Judge McFadden, with the trial expected to last three to four weeks. National Security Section prosecutors are handling the case.
The case joins other high-profile matters now moving through the federal courts, including the Supreme Court’s review of the asylum ban, while Senate Democrats prepare for a leadership vote on December 1.
| Count | Charge |
|---|---|
| 1 | Act of terrorism while armed, under District of Columbia law |
| 2 | Attempting to assassinate the president |
| 3 | Assaulting a federal officer with a deadly weapon |
| 4 | Transporting a firearm in interstate commerce to commit a felony |
| 5 | Discharging a firearm during a crime of violence |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Cole Tomas Allen?
Cole Tomas Allen is a 31-year-old from Torrance, California, accused of opening fire at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner on April 25, 2026. Prosecutors said he travelled by train to Washington, armed with a shotgun and a pistol.
What happened at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on April 25, 2026?
Prosecutors said Allen charged through a Secret Service checkpoint at the Washington Hilton and fired a 12-gauge shotgun, striking an officer’s bulletproof vest. He was detained at the scene, and President Donald Trump was unharmed.
What sentence could Cole Tomas Allen face if convicted?
Both the new terrorism count and the attempted-assassination count carry a maximum sentence of life in prison. The Justice Department said the maximum penalty Allen faces is life imprisonment.
When is the trial of the White House dinner gunman?
Jury selection is scheduled for September 7, 2027, before U.S. District Judge Trevor N. McFadden in Washington. The trial is expected to last three to four weeks.
