A federal judge has set a September 2027 trial date for a man charged with attempting to kill President Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.
Jury selection is scheduled to begin Sept. 7, 2027, in Washington, D.C., with the trial expected to last three to four weeks. U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden set the date after one of the defense attorneys requested additional time for preparation, moving the proceedings later than the May 2027 date recommended by prosecutors.
Cole Tomas Allen, of Torrance, California, is accused of storming the event armed with guns and knives and firing a shotgun at a Secret Service officer who intervened. The officer, protected by a bullet-resistant vest, was struck but unharmed, and returned fire without hitting Allen. Allen sustained injuries that were not from gunfire, authorities said.
The incident on April 25, 2026, at the Washington Hilton led to the early conclusion of the annual dinner. President Trump later returned to speak at a rescheduled dinner three months later.
In writings sent to relatives before the attack, Allen expressed opposition to Trump administration policies and referred to himself as a "Friendly Federal Assassin," according to authorities. He faces charges including attempted assassination, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison, as well as assaulting a federal officer with a deadly weapon and two firearms offenses.