“administration officials” at the press gala inside the Washington Hilton hotel in Washington, DC, CBS News reported, citing sources.
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The gunman who charged a security checkpoint and opened fire outside the White House Correspondents’ Dinner gunman was targeting Trump officials and wanted to “take whoever he could”, according to reports.
Cole Tomas Allen, 31, told police he was going after “administration officials” at the press gala inside the Washington Hilton hotel in Washington, DC, CBS News reported, citing sources.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche later confirmed the alleged admission.
“He was trying to just breach his way in and take whoever he could,” one law enforcement source told The NY Post.
US President Donald and First Lady Melania Trump were rushed from the stage after a gunman opened fire at the event around 8.30pm on Saturday, local time.
The gunman shot at a Secret Service officer whose life was ultimately saved by a bullet proof vest.
The major security lapse comes just seven months after the assassination of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, and two failed assassination attempts on Mr Trump. In July 2024, Mr Trump was shot in the ear at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, and two months later survived another assassination attempt at his Florida golf club.
