Trump Shooting Suspect Cole Allen’s 3-Word Reply in Court Revealed as He Waives Detention Fight

Cole Tomas Allen, the man accused of opening fire during the White House Correspondents' Dinner, made his second appearance in court on April 30. A day before, his lawyers had filed a motion seeking his release pending trial. However, Allen later waived his right to challenge his detention.

The suspect appeared expressionless as he was presented before Magistrate Judge Moxila Upadhyaya in U.S. District Court in Washington. At the start of the hearing, he greeted the judge with ‘Good morning.’

Allen’s attorney, Tezira Abe, then told the judge about his decision to concede detention. “He’s conceding detention at this time,” Tezira Abe said. Upadhyaya then addressed Allen directly and asked whether he understood the consequences of remaining in custody.

Allen responded briefly, giving a three word answer: “Yes, your honor.” Meanwhile, Abe told the judge that Allen could access his right to challenge his detention in the future. His next hearing is scheduled for May 11. Until then, he will remain in prison.

On Wednesday, prosecutors filed a motion seeking to keep Allen in custody pending trial, citing the seriousness of the alleged crime. In the filing, the prosecution provided details of the weapons and ammunition he allegedly carried during the attack on April 25, 2026.

Allen, who works as a tutor in California, allegedly rushed past a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton hotel and attempted to barge into the ballroom where the White House Correspondents' Dinner was taking place. As he exchanged gunfire with Secret Service agents, President Donald Trump and other government officials had to be evacuated from the venue.

Prosecutors described the incident as a premeditated attack, arguing that Allen took mirror selfies with weapons in his hotel room about half an hour before the shooting. They also said he sent a lengthy message to family members minutes before the attack, stating that he intended to target government officials.

Allen allegedly wrote, “Administration officials ... are targets, prioritized from highest-ranking to lowest,” the 31-year-old allegedly wrote, adding, “In order to minimize casualties, I will also be using buckshot rather than slugs (less penetration through walls). I would still go through most everyone here to get to the targets if it were absolutely necessary.”

Allen also sought forgiveness from his family as he wrote, “I apologize to everyone... who suffered before I was able to attempt this, to all who may still suffer after, regardless of my success or failure.”

Allen has been charged with attempting to assassinate the president, which carries a potential life sentence. Additionally, he faces one count of transporting a firearm and ammunition through interstate commerce with intent to commit a felony, and one count of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. Both charges carry potential sentences of up to 10 years each.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) director Kash Patel talked about the charges against Allen in an official statement and said, “The evidence is abundantly clear: Cole Tomas Allen traveled to Washington, D.C. for the purpose of assassinating President Trump and targeting members of the Trump administration.”