Two hours after being rushed out of the Washington Hilton in a tuxedo, Donald Trump stood at the White House briefing room podium and broke his silence.
He described the suspect as a “lone wolf whack job” and confirmed the Secret Service agent who was shot was in “great shape.” The rest took about twenty minutes.
“Tonight, they had everything covered very quickly. And he was fast. He was running full blast, and they got him before they got any further,” Trump said. He added that he had been “very far away” from the scene when it unfolded and was moved out quickly.
The suspect, Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, had apparently been staying at the Washington Hilton itself, which is how investigators believe he gained access. He was armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives and exchanged fire with law enforcement after rushing past a security checkpoint at 8:36 p.m. He never reached the ballroom.
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Secret Service Deputy Director Matthew Quinn said: “Tonight, a coward attempted to create a national tragedy. He underestimated the protective capabilities of the U.S. Secret Service, and was stopped at first contact.”
FBI agents assembled overnight outside Allen’s home in Torrance, a Los Angeles suburb, working to obtain a search warrant. Interim Washington DC Police Chief Jeffery Carroll confirmed Allen appeared to be a lone actor who had been staying at the hotel, with investigators securing his room and examining its contents.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said Sunday that law enforcement believes Allen was targeting Trump administration officials. “It does appear that he did, in fact, have set out to target folks that work in the administration, likely including the President,” Blanche told NBC News.
Federal campaign finance records showed Allen had contributed $25 to a Democratic PAC supporting Kamala Harris in 2024. A formal motive had not been established.
Trump was then asked why he had been targeted for assassination multiple times. His answer mixed reflection with self-praise.
“I’ve studied assassinations, and I must tell you the most impactful people, the people that do the most – you take a look at the people, Abraham Lincoln – the people that do the most, the people that make the biggest impact, they’re the ones that they go after,” he said. He also offered: “When you’re impactful, they go after you. When you’re not impactful, they leave you alone.”
Trump pledged to reschedule the dinner within 30 days and closed with: “In light of this evening’s events, I ask that all Americans recommit with their hearts to resolving our differences peacefully.”
Featured image via YouTube screengrab
