Cole Allen, the 31-year-old who stormed a security checkpoint at Saturday’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner, sent a disturbing manifesto to family members just 10 minutes before his attack. Law enforcement confirmed Allen dubbed himself the “Friendly Federal Assassin” and outlined plans to target Trump administration officials by rank while specifically exempting FBI Director Kash Patel from his list.
Manifesto Details Emerge
The document, provided to authorities by Allen’s family member, contained extreme anti-Trump rhetoric and revealed shocking security vulnerabilities. Allen claimed he walked into the Washington Hilton carrying multiple weapons without detection. “I am no longer willing to permit a pedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes,” Allen wrote according to the New York Post. His brother immediately contacted New London, Connecticut law enforcement after receiving the manifesto, while Secret Service agents later interviewed Allen’s sister in Rockville, Maryland.
Background and Planning
Allen holds degrees in mechanical engineering from Caltech and computer science from Cal State Dominguez Hills. He purchased a shotgun in August 2025 and owned a pistol dating to 2023. CBS News reported Allen traveled from Los Angeles through Chicago to Washington by train, booking a room at the Hilton one night before the dinner. Federal Election Commission filings show Allen contributed $25 to a Democratic political action committee supporting Kamala Harris’ 2024 presidential campaign.
Warning Signs Ignored
Allen’s sister told Secret Service agents he exhibited a pattern of extreme political rhetoric and frequently discussed doing “something” to address global problems. Investigators learned Allen belonged to “The Wide Awakes” and participated in a “No Kings” rally in California. The highly educated engineer appeared to have carefully planned his attack, exploiting what he perceived as security weaknesses at one of Washington’s most high-profile events. His detailed preparations and cross-country travel demonstrate the deliberate nature of his actions targeting government officials.
