Mar 2026
Trump says he will attend the dinner
President Donald Trump announced in early March that he would attend the White House Correspondents' Association dinner, according to prosecutors as reported by NPR.
Incident
How the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting case unfolded
On April 25, 2026 a man ran through a Secret Service checkpoint at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner at the Washington Hilton and fired a shotgun, according to the Justice Department. Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, was indicted on four federal counts including attempting to assassinate the President. He has pleaded not guilty, is presumed innocent and is due for jury selection in September 2027.
25 April 2026 to today · 25 dated events · 21 sources
Where it stands now · as of 1 November 2026
As of 1 November 2026 Allen remains in custody, having agreed on 30 April to stay detained, and has pleaded not guilty to all four counts. He has not been convicted and is presumed innocent. Judge Trevor McFadden has set jury selection for September 7, 2027.
Next date
7 September 2027 Jury selection scheduled to begin in federal court in Washington
7 September 2027 Jury selection scheduled to begin in federal court in Washington
In 30 seconds: the turning points
- 25 Apr 2026 Shot fired at Secret Service checkpoint
- 27 Apr 2026 Criminal complaint charges attempted assassination
- 5 May 2026 Grand jury indicts on four counts
- 11 May 2026 Not guilty plea and bid to disqualify prosecutors
- 22 Jun 2026 Judge refuses to disqualify Blanche and Pirro
- 29 Oct 2026 Trial set for September 2027
federal counts in the indictment4Justice Department, 5 May 2026
officer struck1hit in the chest wearing a ballistic vest, per the Justice Department and FBI affidavit
jury selection date7 Sep 2027set 29 Oct 2026
Timeline of events
Overview · 25 Apr 2026 to 29 Oct 2026 · click a dot to jump
2026
6 Apr 2026
Hotel room booked, prosecutors say
Prosecutors allege Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, reserved a room at the Washington Hilton, where the dinner was held, for April 24 to 26, according to an FBI affidavit and the Justice Department.
🇺🇸 Washington Hilton, Washington, D.C.US Department of Justice (FBI Washington Field OUS Attorney's Office for the District of Co
Associated Press (via PBS NewsHour)
Associated Press (via PBS NewsHour)21 Apr 2026
Train journey from Los Angeles begins, FBI says
From April 21 to 23 Allen travelled by train from Los Angeles to Chicago, and from April 23 to 24 from Chicago to Washington, according to the FBI affidavit. Prosecutors say he carried a shotgun, a pistol, knives and daggers.
24 Apr 202615:00 EDT
Arrival in Washington and hotel check-in
The FBI affidavit says Allen arrived in Washington at approximately 1:00 p.m. and checked in to the Washington Hilton at approximately 3:00 p.m., the day before the dinner.
25 Apr 202620:00 EDT
Dinner program begins with the President present
The dinner's main program began at 8:00 p.m., according to the government's detention memo, and the President arrived at approximately 8:00 p.m., according to the FBI affidavit. The memo says Vice President JD Vance and about a dozen Cabinet members also attended.
🇺🇸 Washington Hilton, Washington, D.C.US Department of Justice (FBI Washington Field O
US District Court for the District of Columbia (
US District Court for the District of Columbia (25 Apr 202620:03 EDT
Hotel room photo and tracking of the President, prosecutors say
The government's detention memo says a mirror photo was taken in Allen's hotel room at about 8:03 p.m., that he revisited a presidential schedule webpage at about 8:13 p.m. and viewed live video of the President en route at about 8:27 p.m.
🇺🇸 Washington Hilton, Washington, D.C.US District Court for the District of Columbia (Associated Press (via PBS NewsHour)
US District Court for the District of Columbia (Associated Press (via PBS NewsHour)25 Apr 202620:30 EDT
Scheduled emails sent, prosecutors say
Prosecutors say pre-scheduled emails went to relatives at about 8:30 p.m. (the FBI affidavit says shortly before 8:40 p.m.). According to prosecutors, Allen called himself a "Friendly Federal Assassin" and listed administration officials as targets. The defense notes the writings never named Trump.
🇺🇸 Washington Hilton, Washington, D.C.US District Court for the District of Columbia (US Department of Justice (FBI Washington Field O
Reuters (via KSL)The Independent (via Newswav)
US District Court for the District of Columbia (US Department of Justice (FBI Washington Field OReuters (via KSL)The Independent (via Newswav)25 Apr 2026
Turning point
Shot fired at Secret Service checkpoint
The Justice Department says that shortly after 8:30 p.m. (the FBI affidavit says approximately 8:40 p.m.) Allen ran through a magnetometer with a 12-gauge shotgun and fired, hitting a Secret Service officer once in the chest. The affidavit says the officer wore a ballistic vest. The officer fired five times. Allen had a minor knee injury, was not shot, and was arrested. The defense has questioned whether Allen's shot hit the officer.
25 Apr 2026
Trump taken off stage and dinner ends early
Security rushed Trump off the stage and the event ended early, the Associated Press reported. Reuters reported a tactical vest stopped the shot and the officer left hospital hours later. About two hours after the attack Trump spoke at the White House.
“They seem to think he was a lone wolf.”Donald Trump, President of the United States, Associated Press (via PBS NewsHour)
Apr 2026
Officials defend security response
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the security system worked because Allen was stopped, NPR reported. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called it the third major assassination attempt against Trump, according to Reuters.
“Law enforcement did not fail. They did exactly what they are trained to do.”Todd Blanche, Acting Attorney General, NPR (via WGCU)
27 Apr 2026
Turning point
Criminal complaint charges attempted assassination
An FBI affidavit sworn before Magistrate Judge Matthew J. Sharbaugh supports a complaint charging Allen with attempting to assassinate the President (18 U.S.C. 1751(c)), transporting a firearm and ammunition interstate with intent to commit a felony (18 U.S.C. 924(b)) and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence (18 U.S.C. 924(c)(1)(A)(iii)).
27 Apr 2026
First court appearance and detention order
At his first appearance in federal court in Washington, Magistrate Judge Matthew Sharbaugh ordered Allen detained pending a further hearing, Reuters reported. Allen had not responded to the allegations.
“He attempted to assassinate the president of the United States, Donald J. Trump”Jocelyn Ballantine, Assistant US Attorney, Reuters (via KSL)
29 Apr 2026
Government asks for pretrial detention
In a detention memo the government argued that no release conditions could assure community safety and that the evidence was overwhelming. A filing said Allen was willing to commit a mass shooting among the highest-ranking officials, according to Reuters.
29 Apr 2026
Defense questions ballistics account
Allen's lawyers wrote to prosecutors that statements by Blanche indicated the ballistics evidence was inconsistent with parts of the government's theory, The Independent reported. Reuters reported the defense disputed whether Allen shot the officer.
30 Apr 2026
Allen agrees to remain in custody
At a detention hearing Allen agreed to remain in custody, and his attorney said he would not immediately contest the claim that he is a danger to the community, Reuters reported. The defense said he has no prior arrests or convictions.
🇺🇸 Washington, D.C.Reuters (via KSL)
Reuters (via KSL)3 May 2026
Pirro says buckshot was found in the vest
US Attorney Jeanine Pirro said on CNN that buckshot from Allen's shotgun was intertwined with the fiber of the officer's vest and that the officer did not shoot himself, ABC News reported. Prosecutors had not released ballistics results.
4 May 2026
Magistrate judge raises concerns over jail treatment
Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui held a hearing on Allen's jail conditions, including a padded cell and constant lighting, and apologized to him, ABC News reported. The Associated Press reported Allen had been on suicide watch and was later removed. The jail's lawyer said the measures were for safety.
“We are obligated to make sure that you're treated with the basic decency that human beings should have”Zia Faruqui, US Magistrate Judge, ABC News (Good Morning America)
5 May 2026
Turning point
Grand jury indicts on four counts
A federal grand jury indictment (case 26cr98) charges Allen with attempt to assassinate the President, assaulting a federal officer with a deadly weapon (18 U.S.C. 111, per Courthouse News), interstate transport of a firearm and ammunition with intent to commit a felony, and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.
“there is evidence this defendant intended to assassinate the president”Jeanine Ferris Pirro, US Attorney for the District of Columbia, US Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia
11 May 2026
Turning point
Not guilty plea and bid to disqualify prosecutors
Before US District Judge Trevor McFadden, Allen's attorney entered not guilty pleas on his behalf, the Associated Press reported. The defense asked to disqualify Blanche and Pirro, who attended the dinner, as possible victims or witnesses. Prosecutors were told to respond by May 22.
“That would be quite a request”Trevor McFadden, US District Judge, on disqualifying the whole Justice Department, Associated Press (via PBS NewsHour)
2 Jun 2026
Correspondents' association reschedules dinner
The White House Correspondents' Association said the dinner would be held on July 24. Its president, Weijia Jiang, said the board chose to reschedule after consideration.
“It will be a statement that violence has no place in American life”Weijia Jiang, WHCA president, ABC News (via ABC13)
22 Jun 2026
Turning point
Judge refuses to disqualify Blanche and Pirro
Judge McFadden denied the motion, finding no disqualifying conflict from the officials' attendance, public statements or Pirro's friendship with the President. He noted Allen is not charged with trying to harm them.
“They are unlikely to be trial witnesses, nor do they meet the legal definition of victims”Trevor McFadden, US District Judge, Associated Press (via The Philadelphia Inquirer)
29 Jun 2026
Speedy trial clock paused for discovery
The parties and the court agreed to pause the speedy trial clock by 45 days because of extensive discovery, with a trial date expected to be discussed at an August 20 hearing, the Washington Examiner reported.
Jul 2026
Rescheduled dinner held
Trump spoke at the rescheduled correspondents' dinner about three months after the April attack, the Associated Press reported.
20 Aug 2026
Request to appear without shackles denied
Judge McFadden denied a defense request for Allen to appear unrestrained at pretrial hearings, citing the seriousness of the allegations. Prosecutors were ready to look at trial dates in April 2027 and the defense asked for more time for discovery and forensic experts. A status conference was set for October 5.
29 Oct 2026
Turning point
Trial set for September 2027
Judge McFadden set jury selection to begin on September 7, 2027, with a trial expected to last three to four weeks, the Associated Press reported. Prosecutors had proposed May 2027. CNN reported the defense sought more time to review ballistic reports.
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Sources
21 records, ranked by type- 1Official record5 May 2026Indictment Charges Cole Tomas Allen with Attempt to Assassinate the President and Assault on a Federal Officer with a Deadly WeaponUS Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia · justice.gov
- 2Official record27 Apr 2026Affidavit in Support of a Criminal Complaint, United States v. Cole Tomas AllenUS Department of Justice (FBI Washington Field Office affidavit) · justice.gov
- 3Official record29 Apr 2026Government's Memorandum in Support of Pretrial Detention, United States v. Allen, 1:26-mj-00080 US District Court for the District of Columbia (filing hosted by Courthouse News) · courthousenews.com
- 4Official record22 Jun 2026United States v. Allen, Memorandum Order denying motion to disqualify, 1:26-cr-00098 (TNM)US District Court for the District of Columbia (via CounselStack) · law.counselstack.com
- 5News report27 Apr 2026Suspect in Washington dinner shooting charged with attempting to assassinate Trump Reuters (via KSL) · ksl.com
- 6News report30 Apr 2026Man accused in Trump assassination attempt agrees to remain in custody Reuters (via KSL) · ksl.com
- 7News report28 Apr 2026Correspondents' dinner suspect charged with trying to assassinate President TrumpNPR (via WGCU) · wgcu.org
- 8News report11 May 2026Man charged in White House correspondents' dinner attack pleads not guilty to assassination attempt Associated Press (via PBS NewsHour) · pbs.org
- 9News report12 May 2026Man charged in White House correspondents' dinner attack pleads not guiltyAssociated Press (via The News Minute) · thenewsminute.com
- 10News report4 May 2026Judge raises alarm over WHCD suspect's post-arrest treatment
ABC News (Good Morning America) · goodmorningamerica.com - 11News report4 May 2026Pirro says there is evidence the alleged correspondents' dinner attacker shot Secret Service officer
ABC News (via ABC7) · abc7news.com - 12News report22 Jun 2026Top Justice Department officials can remain part of prosecution of press gala attack, judge rules
Associated Press (via The Philadelphia Inquirer) · inquirer.com - 13News report29 Jun 2026Judge delays trial for White House Correspondents' Association dinner shooting suspectWashington Examiner · washingtonexaminer.com
- 14News report20 Aug 2026Suspect in correspondents' dinner assassination attempt must remain shackled in court, judge saysScripps News (via KSHB) · kshb.com
- 15News report20 Aug 2026Accused WHCA dinner shooter appears at status hearingGray DC (via WFSB) · wfsb.com
- 16News report29 Oct 2026September 2027 trial date set for man charged with attacking White House correspondents' dinnerAssociated Press (via WFMZ) · wfmz.com
- 17News report30 Oct 2026Trial date set for alleged White House Correspondents' Dinner shooterCNN Newsource (via KYMA) · kyma.com
- 18News report2 Jun 2026White House correspondents' dinner rescheduled for July 24ABC News (via ABC13) · abc13.com
- 19News report5 May 2026Grand jury indicts White House correspondents' dinner suspect on officer assault charge Courthouse News Service · courthousenews.com
- 20News report30 Apr 2026Lawyers for Trump 'assassin' Cole Tomas Allen cast doubt on DOJ's account of shootingThe Independent (via Newswav) · newswav.com
- 21News report5 May 2026Grand jury indicts WHCD shooting suspect on four countsFOX 5 DC · fox5dc.com
Last updated 1 November 2026. Spotted an error? See corrections. Every event links to the record it comes from. Allegations are attributed to whoever made them.