Cole Tomas Allen Manifesto Outlines Intent to Target Trump Administration Officials

WASHINGTON — Accused White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooter Cole Tomas Allen sent a lengthy manifesto to family members roughly 10 minutes before opening fire at the Washington Hilton on April 25, 2026, in which he explicitly declared his plan to target Trump administration officials and referred to himself as the “Friendly Federal Assassin.”

The 1,052-word document, obtained by the New York Post and reviewed by multiple outlets including CBS News, was signed “Cole ‘coldForce’ ‘Friendly Federal Assassin’ Allen.” In it, Allen wrote that his targets were “Administration officials (not including Mr. Patel): they are targets, prioritized from highest-ranking to lowest.” The explicit exclusion of FBI Director Kash Patel was noted without further explanation in the manifesto.

Allen mocked the Secret Service and hotel security, describing the “insane” lack of protection at the event and suggesting he could have inflicted far greater damage. He laid out “rules of engagement,” stating that law enforcement officers, hotel employees, and guests were not his intended targets but that he would shoot them “only if necessary” to reach administration officials. He apologized in advance to family, colleagues, students, and bystanders for the danger he created.

The manifesto contained repeated anti-Trump grievances, referencing administration policies and recent events such as U.S. strikes on drug smuggling boats. It also included anti-Christian rhetoric, which President Trump highlighted in interviews, stating the suspect “hates Christians.”

Allen sent the document to relatives shortly before the attack. His brother notified the New London, Connecticut, Police Department, which alerted federal authorities. The manifesto was recovered as part of the FBI’s investigation and is being analyzed along with Allen’s electronic devices and social media accounts, which also contained anti-Trump and anti-Christian content.

Federal prosecutors have charged Allen with using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer. He remains in custody and is not cooperating with investigators, according to officials. The FBI continues to examine potential motives, with no terrorism-related charges filed to date.

The document provides the clearest public window yet into Allen’s stated intentions on the night he charged past outer security at the Hilton, fired shots near the magnetometer screening area, and was subdued after a brief exchange of gunfire that injured one Secret Service officer (protected by a vest). The incident forced the evacuation of President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and senior officials.

The FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office have declined to release the full manifesto, citing the ongoing investigation.