President Donald Trump reacted angrily when asked about White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting suspect Cole Tomas Allen’s alleged manifesto, which sharply criticized the Trump administration.
The president called CBS News “disgraceful” for quoting segments of the manifesto during an interview that aired on 60 Minutes on Sunday. Officials allege that Allen, a 31-year-old from Torrance, California, sent the anti-Trump manifesto to his family members moments before the shooting, calling himself the “Friendly Federal Assassin”.
“I am no longer willing to permit a paedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes,” the letter read.
Mr Trump hit back: “I’m not a paedophile” and “I’m not a rapist”.
Gunshots were fired inside the Washington Hilton shortly after 8:30pm, prompting panic as Secret Service agents rushed the president and other Cabinet officials out of the ballroom, while others took cover under tables.
The suspect shot and injured one law enforcement officer, before being detained near the hotel screening area, officials said. The officer was treated and released from the hospital on Sunday.
Allen faces impending firearms and assault charges and is set to be arraigned on Monday. He is reportedly not cooperating with authorities.
