The alleged gunman who attempted to storm the White House correspondents’ dinner on Saturday traveled to Washington, D.C., from California by train, according to acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.
Police said the suspect, Cole Tomas Allen, had a shotgun, pistol, and multiple knives when he was apprehended. The firearms were purchased in California well before the event, indicating he was able to carry them on the train and cross state lines.
Allen bought a Maverick 12-gauge pump-action shotgun from Turner’s Outdoorsman in Torrance in August 2025 and an Armscor semi-automatic pistol from CAP Tactical Firearms in Lawndale in October 2023, according to Bloomberg.
In an interview Sunday on CBS News’ Face the Nation, Blanche was asked if security protocols on trains should match those at airports, where all travelers and their bags must pass thorough screening.
“This isn’t about, in my mind, changing the law or making the laws more restrictive around possession of firearms,” he replied. “It appears he purchased these firearms the past couple years. We don’t know how those firearms ended up in his possession in D.C. We can make some assumptions based upon what I just said about how he got to D.C., but I don’t think the narrative here is about changing laws or making our laws more restrictive.”
Instead, Blanche put the focus on how law enforcement was able to stop the suspect outside the ballroom where the dinner was being held.
None of the attendees, including numerous top administration officials, was injured, though a Secret Service agent was shot while wearing a bulletproof vest and is expected to be OK.
When pressed further about train security, Blanche reiterated, “that’s talking about changing the laws, and I don’t think that’s something that we should be focused on right now in any way, shape or form.”
A spokesperson for Amtrak said it is cooperating with federal authorities but didn’t comment on whether security may be increased. A statement from the Homeland Security Department didn’t address train security.
“I want to thank the U.S. Secret Service and law enforcement personnel for their quick and heroic actions,” Secretary Markwayne Mullin said. “An investigation is ongoing, and we will provide updates as they become available.”
After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, airport security tightened substantially, though passenger and freight rail systems were flagged as softer targets.
To be sure, Amtrak has a police force that’s meant to deter crime in stations, onboard trains, in and around its facilities, and on railroad right-of-ways, according to a fact sheet on its various security measures.
Some officers are also designated with special operations credentials to deploy for tactical response, warrant service support, investigations, special events support, and low-visibility counter-surveillance.
In addition, Amtrak has K9 detection teams for explosives and narcotics, while regional liaison detectives provide coverage to areas generally not served by major Amtrak Police field offices.
Amtrak also has an intelligence and analysis office, plus partnerships with local, state, federal, and private-sector organizations.
But unlike for air travel, Amtrak relies on random screenings and inspections of passengers and personal items that are usually conducted in less than a minute. Passengers who refuse are denied access to trains and offered a refund.
“Because of advantages such as easy access, convenient locations and intermodal connections, rail and mass transit systems are completely different from the structure and organization of the airline transportation and airport industry,” the Amtrak fact sheet said. “As a result, the security framework that works in the airport setting is not easily transferable to the rail station system.”
