Monday saw three dramatic story arcs unfolding in Washington as the individual that fired shots close to the White House Correspondents Dinner was accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump.
The president ramped up his conflict with television comedian Jimmy Kimmel, and Britain’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrived for a royal visit.
Thirty one year old Cole Tomas Allen, an educator from Torrance, California, appeared in court for the first time amid federal proceedings in Washington, D.C. after being indicted by the government on three counts.
Attempted assassination of the president, carrying a firearm and ammunition for the purpose of committing a felony, and using a gun while committing a violent crime.
Allen was trying to go through a security checkpoint inside the Washington Hilton Saturday night, near the ballroom where the dinner was taking place.
He was armed with a shotgun, a handgun and several knives. One Secret Service officer was hit by a round, but was wearing a bulletproof vest and is expected to live.
Gunshots rang out as agents whisked Trump and Vice President JD Vance from the room. No serious injuries were reported.
The prosecutors revealed a frightening series of communications made by Allen prior to the assault, targeting Trump officials according to their positions in the hierarchy.
Trump takes aim at Kimmel
Not long after these charges were brought to the public, Trump escalated the situation, using the attack on Disney, following a comment made by Jimmy Kimmel.
During his Thursday night talk show, just days before the attack, Kimmel played out a mock correspondents dinner and stated that the first lady has “a glow like an expectant widow.”
Trump wrote on Truth Social that Kimmel’s remark was a “despicable call for violence” and that Disney “should immediately fire” Kimmel.
Earlier Monday, Melania Trump wrote on X that Kimmel’s comments were “hateful and violent rhetoric” meant to divide the country and urged the network to “take a stand.”
The White House pointed to what it called “systemic demonisation” as the cause of political violence against the president, referencing Kimmel specifically.
He commented during his show on Monday night, empathizing with those who suffered in the shooting incident while trying to justify himself.
“Obviously a joke about their age difference,” he mentioned regarding the comment that had been made on him.
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This is not the first time Trump has taken issue with ABC’s late night television host.
In September of the same year, Kimmel was temporarily suspended from his post because of some of his controversial remarks about the assassination of Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist.
The royals arrive amid increased security measures
In light of this heated exchange, King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla arrived at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland around 2:30 pm EST, kicking off a four day state visit that marks the first visit by a reigning monarch of the country since Queen Elizabeth II visited the US in 2007.
The royal couple will spend four days on this trip to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the independence of America from Britain and strengthen the strained ties between the two countries.
Security arrangements were reviewed after Saturday’s shooting but Buckingham Palace said the programme would go ahead.
A palace source said Charles and Camilla had privately contacted the president and first lady to offer sympathies to those affected and thanks to the security services.
Trump and Melania hosted the royals for afternoon tea at the White House before a garden party at the British Ambassador’s Residence attended by some 600 guests.
On Tuesday, Charles will address a joint meeting of Congress, the first time a sitting British monarch has done so since Queen Elizabeth II in 1991.
The couple will then travel to New York and Virginia before heading to Bermuda.
