Cole Tomas Allen, the 31-year-old California teacher accused of opening fire at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday, appeared in federal court in Washington on Monday. He faces three criminal charges that carry a potential sentence of life in prison.

Why it matters: The formal charges elevate the incident from a security breach to an attempted assassination of the president, the most serious charge the federal government can bring against an attacker. The unsealed manifesto adds a dimension of premeditation that will shape both the legal case and the political response.

The charges

The Department of Justice charged Allen with attempted assassination of the president, interstate transportation of a firearm and ammunition with intent to commit a felony, and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence. Allen walked into the courtroom wearing a blue prison uniform and answered questions from the judge but otherwise remained silent.

Allen was remanded into custody. A hearing to determine whether he is eligible for pretrial release is scheduled for Thursday.

The manifesto

Court documents unsealed Monday included an email Allen allegedly sent to family members and others minutes before the attack. The message stated that administration officials would be considered “targets, prioritised from highest-ranking to lowest.”

The manifesto notably excluded FBI Director Kash Patel from the target list. Investigators have not publicly explained the exclusion.

What was found

When arrested, Allen had a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun and a Rock Island Armory 1911 .38-calibre semiautomatic pistol, along with three knives. He had booked a three-night hotel reservation at the Washington Hilton from Friday to Sunday, according to court documents.

Allen, a teacher and engineer from Torrance, California, stated in the manifesto that he believed it was his duty to target administration officials.

Security and political response

The attack prompted a last-minute security review of King Charles III’s four-day state visit to Washington, which began on Monday. Secret Service protocols at the dinner itself are now under review.

What both sides say

Republicans have called the shooting an act of domestic terrorism and linked it to escalating political rhetoric. Some have called for stricter security measures at public events involving senior officials. Democrats have condemned the attack while cautioning against using it to restrict press access or free expression. Both parties have praised the Secret Service response that prevented casualties.

What happens next

Allen’s detention hearing on Thursday will determine whether he remains in custody while awaiting trial. Federal prosecutors are expected to present additional evidence, including digital communications recovered from Allen’s devices. The investigation remains active.