US Department of National Security: the war in Iran could have been Allen’s motive in the assassination attempt on Trump

According to the publication, a preliminary report prepared by the department’s intelligence analysis center and dated April 27 notes that Allen had many sources of political and social discontent. “The conflict in Iran may have contributed to his decision to carry out the attack,” it said, based on social media posts where he criticized the US actions.

On April 27, 31-year-old Allen, who opened fire at the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, was charged with attempted assassination of the President of the United States, as well as illegal transportation of firearms across state lines and use of a weapon in the course of a violent crime.

Prosecutor Jocelyn Ballantyne told the court at the time that the suspect arrived in Washington from California by train, carrying a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun and three knives. Ahead of the attack, Allen sent an email to relatives calling himself a “friendly federal assassin” and outlining plans to attack senior Trump administration officials.