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Trump security under fire after third close call in two years
U.S. President Donald Trump faced yet another security scare late Saturday when a gunman opened fire near the Washington Hilton during the White House Correspondents' Association dinner, marking the third attempt on his life in under 24 months.
Timeline of recent threats
In July 2024, Trump narrowly escaped an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, when a bullet grazed his ear. Just over two months later, a second would-be assassin targeted him while he played golf at his Florida resort. The latest incident unfolded just hours after Trump attended the high-profile dinner in the nation's capital.
How the attack unfolded
Cole Tomas Allen, 31, stormed through a Secret Service checkpoint on the floor above the ballroom, armed with a shotgun, handgun, and multiple knives. Witnesses, including CNN's Wolf Blitzer, reported hearing "very serious" gunfire before officers subdued Allen after an exchange of shots. The president was swiftly escorted offstage by agents, who formed a protective barrier around him and Vice President JD Vance.
Trump later shared an image of Allen shirtless and handcuffed on the floor, surrounded by Secret Service personnel. Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche told NBC News the suspect appeared to be targeting "administration officials, likely including the president."
Security lapses spark criticism
Despite road closures around the Washington Hilton, security inside the venue drew sharp criticism. BBC Chief North America Correspondent Gary O'Donoghue noted that ticket checks at the entrance were cursory, with staff scanning passes from several feet away. Former UK Ambassador to Washington Kim Darroch, a past attendee, called the setup "alarmingly lax," telling the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg that a single checkpoint separated guests from the ballroom.
Trump himself weighed in, calling the Hilton "not a particularly secure building" and touting the White House's new ballroom-currently under construction-as a safer alternative. The proposed venue is designed to be "drone-proof" with bulletproof glass, though legal disputes have delayed its completion.
Experts weigh in on response
Law enforcement analysts offered mixed assessments. Former FBI agent Jeff Kroeger praised the Secret Service's rapid response, noting agents "converged on the president" to shield him. Former Secret Service agent Barry Donadio echoed the sentiment, saying there was "no lack of agents, officers, or police" at the event.
However, some experts predicted tighter security measures for future Trump appearances, including expanded perimeters. The incident adds to a growing trend of political violence in the U.S., with Capitol Police reporting over 8,000 threats in 2023-a 50% increase since 2018.
A history of political violence
The attack follows a string of high-profile incidents targeting U.S. officials. In 2023, conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was shot during a Turning Point USA event in Utah. Months earlier, Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed in a shooting, while Senator John Hoffman and his wife were injured. In 2022, Paul Pelosi, husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, was attacked with a hammer, suffering a fractured skull.
Trump, reflecting on the frequency of such threats, told reporters, "They're big names, and I hate to say I'm honored by that, but I've done a lot [for the U.S.]." He cited historical precedents, noting that past presidents like Abraham Lincoln also faced assassination attempts.
What's next
Investigators continue to probe Allen's motives, while security protocols for high-profile events are expected to face renewed scrutiny. The White House has not yet commented on potential changes to presidential protection measures.
