Trump's week in review: Third assassination attempt, IRA retirement accounts, King Charles' state visit

By Ryan Foley, Christian Post Reporter Friday, May 01, 2026

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche speaks as FBI Director Kash Patel listens at a press conference at the Department of Justice on April 27, 2026, in Washington, D.C. The officials took questions from the press and gave updates about the case against Cole Tomas Allen, the suspect in the shooting at the White House Correspondents Dinner. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) | Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

1. DOJ indicts shooter who attempted to assassinate Trump

While Trump’s appearance at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner for the first time in both of his presidencies was expected to make news, the evening took a different turn when shots were fired outside the ballroom at the Washington Hilton hotel, where the annual gathering was taking place.

A Secret Service agent was shot as federal law enforcement officials worked to subdue Cole Tomas Allen, who traveled from California to Washington, D.C., to assassinate the president.

Although Allen’s plan didn't succeed, the shooting forced the cancellation of the WHCA dinner, even though Trump “fought like hell to stay,” but deferred to security protocol.

A “manifesto” written by Allen and sent to his family members before the attempted assassination provided details about his motivation for the attack and included a denunciation of the president as a “traitor” and a proclamation that the “Friendly Federal Assassin” was “no longer willing to permit” such leadership.

At a press conference on Monday, acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche and acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro announced federal charges against Allen.

Allen was charged with attempted assassination of the president, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison, as well as “interstate transportation of a firearm to commit a felony” and “discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence.” The former charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years behind bars, while the latter could result in Allen facing 10 years to life in prison.

According to officials, Allen first made a reservation at the Washington Hilton on April 6, indicating that he planned his assassination attempt for several weeks. He purchased several weapons ahead of a cross-country trip from his home state of California to Washington, D.C., which included a layover in Chicago.