DOJ footage shows missed security dog alerts before shooting at WHCD A newly released video from the Justice Department has uncovered crucial details about the attempted shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner (WHCD). The footage reveals that a security dog alerted to Cole Tomas Allen’s presence twice, but these warnings went unnoticed, allowing the suspect to fire at a Secret Service officer before being detained. The video, shared by US Attorney Jeanine Pirro on social media platform X, shows Allen walking through the Hilton Hotel the night before the attack. In a chilling moment, the security dog reacts to Allen as he passes, signaling potential danger. However, despite these two distinct alerts, the handler fails to acknowledge the dog's warning, allowing Allen to continue his movement through the hotel. The footage captures the suspect armed with a shotgun, heading toward a security checkpoint where he shoots a Secret Service officer. The video highlights how Allen was moving through the hotel, appearing to “case the area” before the shooting. He can be seen walking through corridors and even passing through a gym in the hours before the more dramatic scene. The footage reveals Allen approaching the magnetometer checkpoint, where he charges past uniformed officers and agents, carrying a long-barrelled firearm. In a slow-motion clip of the video, a Secret Service agent fires three times at Allen, although police have confirmed that Allen was not shot. Instead, Allen was tackled and detained after a brief struggle with security personnel. The officer who was shot survived the attack, thanks to the protection provided by his ballistic vest. Pirro, in her statement, clarified that there is no evidence that friendly fire caused the shooting. She emphasized that the footage had already been provided to the US District Court for further legal action. Allen, a 31-year-old from California, has been charged with attempting to assassinate the president. If convicted, he faces up to life in prison. This latest video offers crucial insight into the incident, showing the missed warnings and the sequence of events that allowed the shooter to carry out the attack.

Trump discusses concerns about wearing bulletproof vest On April 30, 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump opened up about his hesitations regarding the use of a bulletproof vest following the shooting incident at the White House Correspondent’s Association (WHCA) dinner. "Would you wear a bulletproof vest at future events?" asked a reporter. Trump responded with his usual candidness: “I don’t know if I can handle looking 20 pounds heavier.” His concern stemmed not just from practicality but also from the image of surrendering to a threat. He continued, “It’s something you consider, but you don’t want to give in to a bad element.” These remarks came in light of recent security concerns regarding the WHCA shooting, where Trump and his team were the intended targets. Assassination attempts on Trump The suspect in the WHCA shooting has been identified as Cole Tomas Allen. He has been charged with attempting to assassinate the president. Secret Service agents prevented the assailant from reaching the ballroom during the gala event. This shooting marked another terrifying moment in a series of major assassination attempts against President Trump. Trump has faced three major assassination attempts during his time in office. Besides the WHCA attack, Trump was also targeted during a golfing trip at the Trump International Golf Club in Florida. The suspect, Ryan Wesley Routh, was observed by a Secret Service agent who saw a rifle barrel poking through a fence. After a quick response, the agent fired at Routh, who fled but was apprehended shortly after during a traffic stop. Routh was convicted of attempted assassination and other related charges, and was sentenced to life in prison in September 2025. Trump survives gunshot at campaign rally Another close call occurred in July 2024, when Trump was campaigning for president. Thomas Matthew Crooks fired multiple shots from a rooftop, one of which grazed Trump’s right ear, causing visible bleeding. Crooks was quickly neutralized by a Secret Service sniper, who killed him seconds after the shooting began. This assassination attempt reinforced the need for heightened security around the president. With Trump’s life under constant threat, security protocols have grown increasingly strict. However, his reluctance to wear a bulletproof vest highlights the complex balance between presidential safety and public image. While Trump’s safety is paramount, his concern about the perception of vulnerability speaks volumes about his approach to leadership and his struggle with the idea of appearing weak in front of the public. In conclusion, Trump continues to weigh the risks to his personal appearance versus the potential life-threatening risks posed by ongoing assassination attempts. Despite being advised about protective measures, he remains conflicted about whether to let public perception influence his security decisions.

Newly released images submitted by US prosecutors show Cole Tomas Allen, the man accused in last week’s White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner shooting, posing with multiple weapons inside a hotel room shortly before the incident. The photos were included in a court filing as part of the government’s effort to keep Allen in custody while the case proceeds. The 31-year-old has pleaded not guilty to several charges, including attempting to assassinate a former US president. According to prosecutors, the images depict Allen standing before a mirror with weapons strapped to his body, including a knife, alongside a bag containing ammunition. Authorities allege that he later carried a semi-automatic handgun, a pump-action shotgun, and multiple knives when he approached a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton, where the high-profile dinner was being held. During the incident, attendees, including senior officials, were evacuated after gunfire erupted, and a Secret Service agent was injured but survived. The court memorandum states that Allen took the photos in the evening while dressed in formal attire, concealing weapons beneath a coat later discarded. Prosecutors say he monitored live coverage of the event before advancing toward the venue. They allege he rushed through a screening checkpoint with a raised shotgun and moved past a metal detector while holding the weapon. Investigators also cited notes recovered from Allen’s phone that detailed observations from his cross-country trip to Washington, D.C. Prosecutors described the incident as deliberate and dangerous, arguing that no conditions would ensure public safety if he were released. Additional charges include transporting a firearm across state lines and discharging a weapon during a violent crime, both carrying significant penalties if convicted.