Dissecting the Latest Assassination Attempt - “The Sunday Political Brunch” - May 3, 2026

Let’s take a deep dive into another assassination attempt on President Trump’s life this week. And, as we enter the 2026 midterm elections, there is more conflict on other issues. Let’s “brunch” on all that and more this week.

“Correspondent’s Dinner Shooting” – 31-year-old California teacher Cole Allen is in federal custody, charged with the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump. It happened last Saturday, at the White House Correspondents' Dinner at the Hilton Hotel in Washington, DC. Cole is accused of carrying a shotgun and a handgun, and breaching the security checkpoint on the floor above where the dinner was being held. He was able to fire off one shot, hitting a uniformed Secret Service agent, who was not seriously hurt because the shot struck his bulletproof vest. Allen was tackled and arrested. People in the crowded ballroom, including the president, vice president, various cabinet members, and the first lady, all took protective cover. Ironically, it’s the same hotel where President Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981.

“What’s the Motive?” – Law enforcement was able to obtain many writings by the suspect, from social media to a detailed journal of his activities. Allen had numerous rants about Trump's policies that he opposed. The suspect checked into his room on Friday, surveyed the hotel, and plotted his path. He used the stairwells to reach the terrace floor, where he rushed security. He wrote in his journal before the assault, "I expected security cameras at every bend, bugged hotel rooms, armed agents every 10 feet, metal detectors out the wazoo. What I got …is nothing." As with the first attempt on Trump’s life, it raises questions about the depth of his security detail. But Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche believes law enforcement was adequate, saying, “We were all safe inside, and that's a testament to the Secret Service doing their job."

“Not the Last Time” – This was the third attempt on Trump’s life, and his second as a sitting president. He is the most polarizing and provocative president in my lifetime, and I worry he will be targeted again. Supporters say this is why Trump’s plan to build a $400 million ballroom on the old White House East Room is necessary. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R) Louisiana said, “This is why we need the ballroom. It really is. The president’s right about that. We need a facility that is secure enough to host events like this without having major national security concerns.” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D) New York called Trump’s ballroom a “vanity project.” One thing that needs to be looked at is that the suspect carried his guns and ammunition on an Amtrak train, from Los Angeles to Chicago, and then on to Washington, DC. Planes are subject to TSA scrutiny, but trains are not. Does this need a review? I say it needs further examination, as we have a double standard here.

“Homeland Security Shutdown Over” – Many of the federal agents working that night have been working without regular paychecks, as the Department of Homeland Security remained unfunded. Finally, this past Thursday, the House approved a Senate Bill to fund DHS (although ICE and the Border Patrol remain unfunded). On a personal note, I traveled through three U.S. airports last week and can report brisk TSA lines and very polite agents. I encountered no delays and was proud to see federal agents working diligently and cheerfully, albeit unpaid. The new law signed by President Trump will ensure they receive all back pay due to them.

“Iran War Update” – While the conflict has entered its third month, President Trump says he does not need to seek authorization to continue from Congress, because there has been a ceasefire in place for weeks. He did say Iran has presented a new plan to end the conflict, but the as yet to be specified terms were not acceptable to the Trump White House.

“Florida Redistricting” – The Congressional redistricting wars continue across the nation, this time making a stop here in Florida. The legislature has approved a plan by Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) Florida to redraw the district boundaries. It’s estimated that Republicans could go from the current 20-8 majority to a 24-4 Congressional majority, a pickup of four seats. Just last week, Virginia lawmakers voted to redraw their maps in an effort to gain four more U.S. House seats. Texas Republicans and California Democrats have done the same thing to their advantage, and so far, the courts are allowing all to proceed.

“Former FBI Director Indicted Again” – Former FBI Director James Comey has been indicted again, this time for making an alleged threat against President Trump. Comey has posted a photo, widely circulated on social media, that showed seashells arranged to spell out the phrase,”86-47.” In slang, the term “86” means to get rid of someone or something. And Trump is the “47th” president of the United States. The inference was clear. But was it a joke, or a real threat? Comey, after all, was fired by Trump during his first term, and also faced a first indictment on another matter that was thrown out by the federal courts.

“Fed Chair Powell’s ‘Walk Out’” – Federal Reserve Board of Governors Chair Jerome Powell is digging in his heels. While Powell is stepping down as chairman in May, he is not resigning and will remain on the board, even though President Trump wants him gone. Trump often criticized Powell for not lowering federal interest rates enough, and the two are at a standoff. Powell said, “I worry these attacks are battering this institution and putting at risk the things that really matter to the public.” President Trump, on his social media platform, said, “Jerome ‘Too Late’ Powell wants to stay at the Fed because he can’t get a job anywhere else — Nobody wants him.” Powell’s term expires in January of 2028

“Trade Wars Return?” – On Friday, President Trump said he would impose a 25% tariff on all cars imported from European Union nations. On Truth Social, he said the EU “is not complying with our fully agreed to Trade Deal.” He did not list specifics. But tariffs can be passed on to consumers through higher prices. That, combined with high prices at the pump and grocery stores, could spell inflation. That’s not good during an election year.

“Maine Senate Race” – There is a big surprise in the U.S. Senate race in Maine, where Democrats are trying to topple 30-Year Sen. Susan Collins (R) Maine. Gov. Janet Mills (D) Maine, who has won statewide twice as governor and twice as attorney general, has dropped out of the Democratic Primary. This is a race where Democrats were hoping to pick up one of four seats needed to retake control of the U.S. Senate. Now it appears oyster farmer Graham Platner will be the Democratic nominee. The reason Mills quit was a lack of campaign cash. Mills said in a statement, “While I have the drive and passion, commitment and experience, and above all else – the fight – to continue on, I very simply do not have the one thing that political campaigns unfortunately require today: the financial resources.” You’d have thought the national party would have heavily funded her. But most polls indicated the little-known Platner had a better shot at beating Collins than Mills did.

Mark Curtis, Ed.D., is a South Florida-based political writer and analyst who has covered news and politics nationwide for the past 49 years. He is a multiple award winner, including two prestigious Edward R. Murrow Awards. Most recently, he served as the Chief Political Reporter for the seven Nexstar Media TV stations, covering West Virginia and its five neighboring states, as well as the Washington, DC media market. Curtis is a former Congressional Fellow who worked in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate. Over the years, he has been a contributing writer and analyst at Patch.com and other outlets, including GoLocalProv.com. His commentary and analysis can be heard every Friday at 1:45 p.m. ET on the 22-station West Virginia Metro News Radio Network. www.WVMetroNews.com.

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