Former President Donald Trump shared his version of events during a security breach at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, where he revealed that he resisted Secret Service agents trying to escort him to safety during the attack.
In an interview on CBS’s 60 Minutes, Trump disclosed that he hesitated to move to safety as the suspected gunman, Cole Tomas Allen, 31, from Torrance, California, entered the event at the Hilton Hotel in Washington DC. The gunman shot one officer before being apprehended.
Trump stated that he was curious to see what was happening and didn’t make it easy for the agents to evacuate him. He mentioned that he wanted to understand the situation before realizing the severity of the event.
Despite pressure from the agents to take cover, Trump insisted on observing the situation before eventually complying and taking cover with the First Lady.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche revealed that officials believed Allen, a teacher from California, traveled across the country to target members of the Trump administration attending the event. Allen faces charges for assaulting an officer with a dangerous weapon, with additional charges expected.
Allen reportedly sent a manifesto to his family before the shooting, identifying himself as the “Friendly Federal Assassin” and expressing his intent to target administration officials. The manifesto detailed his plan to use buckshot to minimize casualties and prioritize his targets.
Within the manifesto, Allen referred to Trump as a “paedophile, rapist, and traitor,” citing allegations against the former President. Trump has denied these accusations.
Authorities are examining Allen’s electronic devices and writings to understand his motives further.
