An attempt to assassinate US President Donald Trump at a White House correspondents’ dinner may have been driven by anger over the US-Iran conflict. The preliminary report, prepared by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), points to the war involving the US, Israel and Iran as a possible factor behind the alleged actions of Cole Allen, the man accused in the attack last month, news agency Reuters reported citing a new US intelligence assessment.
The assessment, dated April 27 and issued by DHS’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis, states that Cole Allen had “multiple social and political grievances”. It adds that the Iran conflict may have contributed to his decision to conduct the attack.
Investigators cited suspects’ social media activity, which included posts critical of US involvement in the war. The findings were part of a “Critical Incident Note” circulated to federal agencies and law enforcement partners across the country.
FBI EXAMINES DIGITAL FOOTPRINT OF COLE ALLEN
The FBI is reviewing posts linked to accounts believed to be associated with the suspect, including content critical of Trump and US foreign policy. The posts touched on the Iran conflict, immigration, Russia-Ukraine war and Elon Musk. One post reportedly called for Trump’s impeachment over his remarks on Iran, while others criticised journalists planning to attend the White House event.
Court filings also indicate that the suspect disagreed with Trump politically and “wanted to fight back against government policies and decisions that he found morally objectionable”.
The suspect also sent a “manifesto” to relatives on the night of the attack, expressing anger at the Trump administration and referred to a desire to target a “traitor” delivering a speech, though it did not name Trump directly.
The conclusions are not final, but the report points more clearly than before to a possible link between the Middle East war and the suspect’s alleged actions. A DHS spokesperson declined to comment directly on the report but told Reuters: “These reports notify our partners of the latest available information following significant incidents that have impacts to homeland security.”
WHAT HAPPENED AT WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS’ DINNER
The incident took place on April 25 at a White House correspondents’ gathering, a high-profile event attended by journalists and senior officials of Trump administration. The suspect was carrying a semi-automatic handgun, a pump-action shotgun and three knives as he allegedly rushed through a security checkpoint one floor above the basement venue at the Washington Hilton hotel on 25 April, to allegedly carry out an attack on Trump and members of his administration.
The US Justice Department has since expanded the charges against him. On Tuesday, prosecutors added a count of assault on a federal officer, accusing him of firing at a US Secret Service agent at a security checkpoint. He already faces charges including attempted assassination, discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, and illegally transporting a firearm and ammunition across state lines. He has not yet entered a plea.
With inputs from Reuters
