Security near the White House is enhanced following a shooting incident at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner on April 26, 2026 in Washington, DC. Photo: VCG

The man accused of opening fire at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner railed against policies of the US administration and referred to himself as a "Friendly Federal Assassin" in writings sent to family members minutes before an attack that authorities increasingly believe was politically motivated, according to a message reviewed by The Associated Press (AP).

The writings, sent shortly before shots were fired Saturday night at the Washington Hilton, made repeated references to US President Donald Trump without naming him directly and alluded to grievances over a range of administration actions, including US strikes on boats accused of smuggling drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean, AP reported. 

Several US media outlets have reported on the existence of the manifesto, which reportedly states that the shooter wanted to target administration officials, per ABC News. 

Trump said Sunday that the suspect - whom an official identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen - was a "pretty sick guy" who had an anti-Christian manifesto. "He was a Christian, believer, and then he became an anti-Christian, and he had a lot of change," Trump told CBS's "60 Minutes" program.

Inset: A photo posted by US President Donald Trump on social media shows law enforcement forces detaining a suspect following a shooting incident at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on the night of April 25, 2026. Photo: VCG

During the TV program, Trump called CBS' Norah O'Donnell "disgraceful" after she raised comments that the gunman allegedly made about him in a manifesto, according to the Axios. 

ABC News, citing acting US Attorney-General Todd Blanche, reported that the suspect traveled from Los Angeles to Washington, DC by train via Chicago, checked in at the Washington Hilton, which was hosting the dinner on Saturday evening, in the past day or two. According to CNN, it was the hotel where former president Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981. 

It was for the first time in years that Trump joined the press corps. However, the event was abruptly cut short when gunshots rang out and descended into panic. CNN said the president called for the interrupted White House Correspondents' Dinner to be rescheduled within 30 days and include more security.

Following the incident, former president Barack Obama on Sunday urged Americans to "reject the idea that violence has any place in our democracy" in a statement posted to X. 

According to media outlets including BBC, King Charles' US state visit will go ahead as planned despite the shooting. Buckingham Palace said the king was "greatly relieved" that Trump and other guests were unharmed in Saturday's incident. 


Global Times