Suspect Arrested at White House Dinner Venue on Suspicion of Planning to Target Specific Individuals

A suspect who allegedly attempted to bring a firearm into the venue of the White House Correspondents' Dinner has been arrested. 31-year-old Cole Allen was apprehended with a weapon in the lobby of the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington D.C. and is currently in custody after being immediately subdued by Secret Service agents. He is scheduled to be federally indicted on Monday.

According to investigators, Allen had posted writings on social media outlining his intent to commit the crime, and is accused of plotting to target Trump administration officials. In the lead-up to the incident, he traveled from California to Washington D.C. via Chicago in mid-April, checking into the Washington Hilton Hotel on April 24, the day before the event.

Allen's sister told authorities that her brother had a history of making radical statements and had previously mentioned plans to 'do something' to address societal issues. He legally purchased a .38 caliber semi-automatic handgun in October 2026 and a 12-gauge shotgun two years later, according to findings.