The alleged perpetrator of the armed attack that occurred during the White House Correspondents' Dinner has been formally charged with attempted murder against the President of the United States, Donald Trump, after appearing this Monday before a federal court in Washington.
The detainee, identified as Cole Thomas Allen, 31 years old and a resident of California, was arrested last Saturday by Secret Service agents after attempting to access armed the ballroom of the Washington Hilton hotel where the official event with the presence of the US president was being held.
Federal charges and provisional detention
In addition to the main charge of attempted murder of the president, Allen faces three additional felonies related to the use of firearms to commit a violent crime.
During a brief court hearing, the Prosecution presented the charges and requested his preventive detention. The judge ordered that the accused remain in federal custody and set a new appearance for next Thursday.
An attack thwarted during an official dinner
According to the preliminary investigation, Allen was staying at the same hotel where the dinner was being held and tried to access it armed with a shotgun, a pistol, and several knives. The suspect was intercepted by security services after an exchange of gunfire with agents.
Authorities have also confirmed the existence of a manifesto addressed to relatives, in which the accused detailed alleged plans to attack high-ranking officials linked to the Trump Administration.
White House points to Democrats
While the investigation continues, the White House has intensified its political tone following the attack. Presidential spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, has accused the Democratic Party and sectors of the left of fueling a climate of political confrontation.
According to Leavitt, part of the content of the detainee's manifesto coincides with speeches that, in his opinion, present Trump as a threat to democracy. The spokesperson stated that this episode represents the third assassination attempt against the president.