Manifesto of the Shooter at the White House Correspondents' Dinner Revealed
Overview of the Incident
Just ten minutes prior to the gunfire that interrupted the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday, Cole Tomas Allen sent a detailed document to his family. This manifesto, comprising 1,052 words, was signed with the moniker "Cole 'coldForce' 'Friendly Federal Assassin' Allen." Contrary to expectations, the document was coherent and methodical. Allen began with apologies, followed by a structured argument addressing potential objections, and concluded with a postscript criticizing the security lapses he noticed while entering the venue armed.
The Target List
The Target List
In his manifesto, Allen outlined his "rules of engagement," which included a prioritized list of individuals he deemed threats, detailing who he intended to target and those he would spare. At the forefront were officials from the Trump administration, arranged by rank. Notably, he excluded FBI Director Kash Patel from this list without providing a reason. He indicated that Secret Service agents would only be targets if necessary, expressing a preference for non-lethal incapacitation, while ominously hoping they were equipped with body armor due to his choice of a shotgun loaded with buckshot.
His Justifications
His Reasoning, In His Own Words
Allen anticipated objections to his actions and systematically addressed them in his writing. He argued that as a Christian, the principle of turning the other cheek did not apply to witnessing the oppression of others. He dismissed concerns about timing, asserting that the world does not cater to the comfort of bystanders. He also confronted the notion that his racial background should deter him from acting, stating that he saw no one else stepping up to take action.
Security Concerns
The Security Rant
In the concluding section of his manifesto, Allen abandoned the formal tone, expressing frustration over the lack of security measures at the Washington Hilton. He noted that he entered the venue with multiple weapons without encountering any checkpoints or armed personnel. He had expected extensive security, including cameras and metal detectors, but found none. He provocatively suggested that had he been an Iranian agent, he could have easily smuggled in a heavy machine gun without detection.
Conclusion of the Manifesto
How It Ended
Allen wrapped up his manifesto by thanking his family, friends, and colleagues, expressing regret over the situation. He candidly reflected on the emotional toll of his actions, stating, "It's awful. I want to throw up; I want to cry for all the things I wanted to do and never will, for all the people whose trust this betrays." He concluded with a darkly humorous remark, advising, "Can't really recommend it! Stay in school, kids." Following the shooting, a Secret Service agent sustained injuries, and Allen was apprehended at the scene, now facing federal charges.