The Secret Service agent wounded during the White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington last Saturday was not struck by friendly fire, according to the agency's director and President Trump. The denial pushes back against initial media reports suggesting the injury may have come from fellow law enforcement.
Secret Service Director Sean Curran told NewsNation that the agent was shot at "point-blank range" by the suspect as he stormed a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton. "Our officer heroically returned fire," Curran said. In a separate interview with Fox News's Will Cain, he added that the agent fired at least five rounds at 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, who was not hit and was subdued shortly after.
The director's statements directly contradict earlier reports that the agent was caught in a crossfire. A federal prosecutors' motion filed this week did not mention any officer being shot, leaving room for confusion. President Trump, speaking in the Oval Office on Thursday, said he was told "it wasn't friendly fire" that hit the agent. The president also noted the agent was wearing a vest, which he said "did an amazing job because it took a bullet close-up." Trump added that the agent initially resisted going to the hospital.
The incident marks the third assassination attempt on Trump since his return to office, a pattern that has reshaped security protocols and political rhetoric. Trump and his Cabinet were present at the dinner and were quickly evacuated to a secure location. The suspect, Cole Tomas Allen, faces three federal charges for allegedly attempting to disrupt the event and assassinate the president. Prosecutors described his actions as "premeditated, violent, and calculated to cause death."
Allen remains in custody ahead of trial, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for May 11. If convicted of attempted assassination, he could face life in prison. The case has drawn renewed attention to security at high-profile political events and the Secret Service's response to threats.
Trump, when asked if he would consider wearing a bulletproof vest after the incident, laughed off the question, telling reporters he didn't know if he "can handle looking 20 pounds heavier." The president's casual dismissal highlights his characteristic defiance of security concerns, even as his administration navigates heightened risks. For more on Trump's security posture, see our analysis of his brief unity pivot after the assassination attempt.
The WHCA dinner, a tradition that brings together journalists and politicians, has become a flashpoint for security debates. The Secret Service's handling of the incident and the subsequent denial of friendly fire underscore the challenges of protecting top officials in crowded settings. Meanwhile, the broader political landscape remains tense, with Trump's trade policies and immigration battles continuing to dominate headlines, as seen in his escalating trade war with the EU and a federal judge blocking his immigration halt.
