Accused Trump Dinner Gunman Faces Armed Terrorism Charge

Federal prosecutors have added an armed terrorism charge against Cole Tomas Allen, accused of rushing a Secret Service checkpoint and firing at an officer while attempting to reach President Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in April. The new charge, brought under D.C. law, alleges Allen sought to influence executive branch policy and intimidate civilians; he already faces four counts, including attempting to assassinate the president, and has pleaded not guilty to the earlier charges. Trump was unharmed, while a Secret Service officer was struck and survived. Allen has not yet entered a plea on the new charge, and his trial is scheduled for September 2027.