Obama says WHCD gunman's motive unknown despite violent anti-Trump manifesto
WASHINGTON, DC: Former President Barack Obama on Sunday, April 26, claimed that "we don’t yet have the details about the motives" behind the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
This statement comes despite the recovery of a manifesto by the suspected gunman, Cole Tomas Allen, which explicitly detailed his intent to target members of the Trump administration.
Obama says 'we don’t yet have the details' about WHCD gunman's motives
Barack Obama stated that the specific reasons for the attack at the Washington Hilton have not yet been fully established.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the former president wrote, “Although we don’t yet have the details about the motives behind last night’s shooting at the White House Correspondents Dinner, it’s incumbent upon all us to reject the idea that violence has any place in our democracy.”
Although we don’t yet have the details about the motives behind last night's shooting at the White House Correspondents Dinner, it’s incumbent upon all us to reject the idea that violence has any place in our democracy. It’s also a sobering reminder of the courage and sacrifice…
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) April 26, 2026
While describing the motive as unknown, he praised the law enforcement officers who responded to the scene.
He continued, “It’s also a sobering reminder of the courage and sacrifice that U.S. Secret Service Agents show every day. I’m grateful to them – and thankful that the agent who was shot is going to be okay.”
Cole Tomas Allen called himself 'Friendly Federal Assassin' in manifesto
The claim that the shooter's intent is a mystery stands in contrast to a manifesto that Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old educator from Torrance, California, allegedly wrote and sent to family members before opening fire on Saturday night.
Can confirm the manifesto in NY POST is accurate and specifically the part about targets, an FBI source tells me @NewsNation
— Kellie Meyer (@KellieMeyerNews) April 26, 2026
The alleged gunman said admin officials "(not including Mr. Patel): they are targets, prioritized from highest-ranking to lowest."
He said that Secret… https://t.co/NNy2OFk1CH
In the document, Allen allegedly detailed his desire to kill Trump administration officials “from highest to lowest.”
His writings included extreme language directed at the president, as Allen wrote, “I am no longer willing to permit a...... and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes.”
The manifesto also focused on specific political issues, such as the crackdown on illegal immigration, and mentioned his Christian faith several times.
Meanwhile, Tricia McLaughlin, a former spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, wrote on X, "Oh, come on. The shooter left a detailed manifesto in his hotel room and sent writings to family members shortly before the attack where explicitly identified himself as the 'Friendly Federal Assassin' and said was targeting Trump administration officials—prioritized from highest-ranking to lowest."
Oh, come on. The shooter left a detailed manifesto in his hotel room and sent writings to family members shortly before the attack where explicitly identified himself as the “Friendly Federal Assassin” and said was targeting Trump administration officials—prioritized from… https://t.co/dL36V7wo8O
— Tricia McLaughlin (@TriciaOhio) April 26, 2026
She argued, “There is no ambiguity. It was a politically motivated attack driven by anti-Trump and anti-Christian bile. It’s wrong to downplay or obscure the obvious motive.”
Violence at the Washington Hilton
The shooting occurred as Allen tried to rush into a ballroom where President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and other top officials were gathered.
After opening fire and being neutralized by authorities, the 31-year-old was taken into custody. No guests at the venue were hurt, and the dinner was postponed.
He is facing several criminal charges, including two counts of using a gun during a violent crime and one count of attacking a federal officer with a dangerous weapon. Allen is set to appear in court on Monday.
