Former President Barack Obama insisted Sunday the “details” of the motives of an armed man who allegedly tried to storm the White House Correspondents’ Dinner were unknown, hours after a media outlet published the suspect’s manifesto.
Cole Allen, a 31-year-old teacher from Torrance, Calif., will appear in court Monday to be arraigned on charges of using a firearm in a violent crime and assaulting a federal officer. Obama’s post, at 5:15 p.m. Sunday, came nearly six hours after the New York Post published Cole’s manifesto at 11:38 a.m. EDT.
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