WASHINGTON, D.C. May 3, 2026 — U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro appeared on CNN’s State of the Union today, promising continued transparency as federal prosecutors build their case against Cole Tomas Allen, the suspect charged with attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on April 25.
“We will continue to be transparent with the evidence against Cole Allen,” Pirro stated during the interview. She confirmed that her office plans to release additional surveillance videos and evidence beyond what was already provided for Allen’s detention hearing.
Pirro revealed the case is scheduled to proceed to a grand jury on May 8. She highlighted newly discussed surveillance footage that shows Allen methodically casing the Washington Hilton hotel the day before the event. On the night of the dinner, Allen is seen entering an adjacent room, removing a long dark coat to reveal a concealed Mossberg pump-action shotgun, and then charging through security toward the ballroom where President Trump and other officials were present.
The footage also captures Allen briefly interacting with a K9 bomb-detection dog near the security checkpoint. According to Pirro, the dog appeared to alert at a doorway Allen had passed through before officers pulled the animal back. Moments later, Allen discarded the coat and rushed forward armed with the shotgun.
Pirro emphasized that forensic analysis has confirmed a pellet from Allen’s shotgun struck a U.S. Secret Service agent’s bullet-resistant vest during the incident. The agent returned fire, but authorities have stated Allen was not struck by law enforcement rounds.
Allen, a 31-year-old Caltech graduate and tutor from Torrance, California, faces multiple federal charges, including attempt to assassinate the President, discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, and illegal interstate transportation of firearms and ammunition. He remains in federal custody after waiving his right to contest detention at a recent hearing.
The April 25 incident at the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner disrupted the high-profile gathering of journalists, politicians, and celebrities and has sparked renewed questions about security protocols at major Washington events. Prosecutors describe the alleged attack as premeditated, with Allen traveling cross-country specifically to target the President.
Pirro indicated that more videos and details from the investigation will be made public in the coming weeks as the prosecution advances.
This marks the latest development in what authorities have described as the third alleged assassination attempt against President Trump in recent years.
Life News Agency will continue to monitor the case and provide updates as additional evidence is released.
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