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

Secret Service agents stand on stage during the incident at the annual White House Correspondents Association Dinner on April 25. Andrew Harnik / GettyShareAdd NBC News to GoogleNov. 13, 2026, 11:57 AM ESTBy Ryan J. ReillyWASHINGTON — 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.

Cole Tomas Allen, the man arrested at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner in April.Department of JusticeWhile 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.

FOR SUBSCRIBERSRFK Jr. eased access to some peptides. Will that pull users away from the gray market?FOR SUBSCRIBERSDemocratic Rep.-elect Brian Poindexter faces investigation over sexual harassment allegationFOR SUBSCRIBERSBlue wave ignites a wild, wide-open 2028 raceFOR SUBSCRIBERSJensen Huang is out at Nvidia. At the Denny’s where it all began, the plaque is gone, too.FOR SUBSCRIBERSIn China, Nvidia scandal stirs defiance and skepticismFOR SUBSCRIBERSBessent points finger at Lutnick; Nvidia’s board is still investigating HuangFOR SUBSCRIBERSI tested Apple’s $299 HomeView with my family. The hardware is ready. Siri isn’t.FOR SUBSCRIBERSMauricio Pochettino’s successor could inherit a ‘one-of-one’ jobFOR SUBSCRIBERS‘Force him to veto it’: Democrats plot their push to reverse Trump’s safety net cutsFOR SUBSCRIBERSThe honey trap, explained: The spy tactic that has ensnared congressmen, colonels and a CEOFOR SUBSCRIBERSAfter a deluge of rain, Lake Powell is only a quarter full. Water cuts begin in January.FOR SUBSCRIBERSFrom potato farm to data farm: Inside the Chinese city powering the country’s AI ambitionsFOR SUBSCRIBERS‘It can’t be true’: Families devastated by deadly New York City building collapseFOR SUBSCRIBERSNvidia tries to recover from a costly misstepFOR SUBSCRIBERSDOJ charged Somali man to try to get information on Ilhan Omar, lawyer saysSlide 1 of 1For SubscribersFOR SUBSCRIBERSRFK Jr. eased access to some peptides. Will that pull users away from the gray market?FOR SUBSCRIBERSDemocratic Rep.-elect Brian Poindexter faces investigation over sexual harassment allegationFOR SUBSCRIBERSBlue wave ignites a wild, wide-open 2028 raceFOR SUBSCRIBERSJensen Huang is out at Nvidia. At the Denny’s where it all began, the plaque is gone, too.FOR SUBSCRIBERSIn China, Nvidia scandal stirs defiance and skepticismFOR SUBSCRIBERSBessent points finger at Lutnick; Nvidia’s board is still investigating HuangFOR SUBSCRIBERSI tested Apple’s $299 HomeView with my family. The hardware is ready. Siri isn’t.FOR SUBSCRIBERSMauricio Pochettino’s successor could inherit a ‘one-of-one’ jobFOR SUBSCRIBERS‘Force him to veto it’: Democrats plot their push to reverse Trump’s safety net cutsFOR SUBSCRIBERSThe honey trap, explained: The spy tactic that has ensnared congressmen, colonels and a CEOFOR SUBSCRIBERSAfter a deluge of rain, Lake Powell is only a quarter full. Water cuts begin in January.FOR SUBSCRIBERSFrom potato farm to data farm: Inside the Chinese city powering the country’s AI ambitionsFOR SUBSCRIBERS‘It can’t be true’: Families devastated by deadly New York City building collapseFOR SUBSCRIBERSNvidia tries to recover from a costly misstepFOR SUBSCRIBERSDOJ charged Somali man to try to get information on Ilhan Omar, lawyer saysSlide 1 of 1The 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.

Ryan J. ReillyRyan J. Reilly is a justice reporter for NBC News.