A preliminary intelligence assessment by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) suggests that the ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran may have influenced the actions of the man accused of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump and other senior officials.
According to a report obtained by Reuters, the DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis concluded that the suspect, identified as Cole Allen, had “multiple social and political grievances” and that the Iran war “may have contributed to his decision to carry out the attack.”
The intelligence report, dated April 27 and labeled a “Critical Incident Note,” was distributed to federal agencies as well as state and local law enforcement agencies across the country.
“The Iran conflict may have contributed to his decision to carry out the attack,” the report said, referring to Allen’s social media activity criticizing America’s involvement in the war.
Officials stressed that the findings are preliminary, but they represent the clearest indication yet of a possible motive behind the attempted attack at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on April 25.
The attack targeted the White House Correspondents’ Dinner
The alleged plot centered on the high-profile White House Correspondents’ Dinner, an annual event attended by political leaders, journalists and celebrities.
Prosecutors say Allen attempted to carry out an attack at a security checkpoint, where he is accused of shooting a US Secret Service agent.
The US Department of Justice has since filed multiple charges, including attempted murder, discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, illegal transportation of a firearm across state lines and assault on a federal officer.
Allen has yet to file a lawsuit.
The Manifesto and Political Discontent
Investigators say Allen sent relatives an email the night of the attack, which authorities identified as a manifesto. In it, he reportedly expressed anger at the administration and referred to his intention to attack the “traitor” delivering the speech, though he did not specifically name Trump.
Court filings further state that Allen “disagreed” with Trump politically and “wanted to ‘fight back’ against government policies and decisions he found morally objectionable.”
FBI investigates social media
The FBI is conducting an extensive review of Allen’s online activities to better understand his motivations. This includes posts from the Allen-linked Bluesky account that contained a mix of anti-Trump rhetoric and criticism of US foreign policy.
According to Reuters, the posts “included criticism of US actions in Iran, but also criticism of the Trump administration on immigration enforcement, Elon Musk and Russia’s war in Ukraine.”
The DHS assessment was obtained through public records requests by the nonprofit Property of the People and later shared with Reuters.
