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During the hearing, prosecutors emphasized the gravity of the allegations.
“He attempted to assassinate the president of the United States, Donald J. Trump,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Jocelyn Ballantine told the court. “We are asking the court to preventatively detain Mr. Allen.”
Later in the day, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro addressed the case in a press conference, underscoring what prosecutors believe was the suspect’s intent and warning that additional charges could follow as the investigation develops.
“Cole Allen’s journey of accountability in the criminal justice system starts today,” U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said in a press conference Monday afternoon, adding, “There will be additional charges as this investigation continues to unfold.”
Pirro was even more direct in her assessment of the alleged plot.
“But make no mistake, this was an attempted assassination of the President of the United States, with the defendant making clear what his intent was,” Pirro continued. “And that intent was to bring down as many of the high ranking Cabinet officials as he could. This is the kind of situation that we cannot tolerate.”
Investigators have since pieced together Allen’s movements leading up to the incident. A newly unsealed probable cause affidavit shows that he reserved a three-night stay at the Washington Hilton, arriving in the capital after a multi-leg cross-country train trip.
According to court records, Allen left the Los Angeles area by train on Tuesday, traveled to Chicago by Thursday, and then continued on to Washington, D.C., arriving Friday around 1 p.m. He checked into a specific room at the Hilton roughly two hours later and remained there overnight.
Authorities also recovered a significant amount of detail regarding weapons allegedly in his possession. When arrested, Allen was carrying a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun, a Rock Island Armory 1911 .38-caliber pistol, and multiple knives.
Investigators say firearm records show the shotgun was purchased in California around August 17, 2025, while the pistol was acquired in October 2023 from another California dealer.
Shortly before the incident unfolded, officials allege Allen sent what they described as a written manifesto to family members. In it, he reportedly expressed intent to target President Donald Trump and other high-ranking officials.
According to investigators, Allen entered the hotel lobby carrying firearms and knives approximately 30 minutes after the gala began. He then allegedly moved through security barricades one floor above the ballroom area where VIP guests were gathered.
“One Secret Service agent was struck by gunfire in a ballistic vest, and Allen was subsequently tackled by officers and taken into custody,” Fox News reported. “Allen was not injured, but was transported to a hospital to be evaluated. The Secret Service agent was also taken to receive medical treatment and is recovering.”
The manifesto obtained by investigators reportedly included inflammatory and false accusations against President Trump, as well as statements indicating an intent to target multiple members of his administration. Allen also wrote an apology to family members, though he suggested he felt a personal obligation to act.
As the federal case moves forward, prosecutors say the investigation remains active and additional evidence is still being reviewed. Allen remains in custody pending further court proceedings.
