Video Todd Blanche says WHCD shooting should be 'wake-up call' for Congress to fund DHS Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche joined 'Fox News Sunday' to discuss the the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting, saying it is a 'wake-up call' for Congress to fund DHS, while revealing the suspect traveled cross-country by train to target administration officials.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche revealed Sunday that the alleged gunman accused in Saturday's White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting in Washington, D.C., appears to have traveled from Los Angeles through Chicago to the nation's capital by train.
"What we have learned and what they’ve learned just overnight is that it appears he traveled from Los Angeles through Chicago to Washington, D.C., and it appears he traveled by train during both legs of that trip," Blanche told Fox News's Shannon Bream on "Fox News Sunday."
"The investigation is rapidly developing," he added.
Authorities executed multiple search warrants overnight in Los Angeles and Washington, including at a hotel room where the suspect was staying, according to Blanche. Investigators are also reviewing devices and communications recovered during the searches.
Law enforcement officers detain a suspect lying face down on the floor following a security incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, D.C., on Saturday. (@realDonaldTrump via Truth Social)
'TRAGEDY AVERTED' AT ATLANTA AIRPORT AS POLICE ARREST MAN WITH AR-15 ALLEGEDLY THREATENING TO 'SHOOT IT UP'
"Law enforcement executed multiple search warrants last night, not only in Los Angeles but also in Washington, D.C., in the hotel room where the suspect was staying, and they executed search warrants on devices, and they’re going through that information right now," Blanche said.
Blanche said investigators are still examining the motive, but early evidence suggests the suspect may have been targeting members of the Trump administration. He cautioned that the case remains in its early stages.
"As far as motivation, we are still looking into that," Blanche said. "It appears he was targeting members of the administration, but I say that generally because that’s all we know right now."
President Donald Trump speaks during a press conference in the Brady Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, following the cancellation of the annual White House Correspondents Association Dinner after a possible shooting. (Getty Images)
TRUMP SAYS WOUNDED NATIONAL GUARDSMAN'S MOTHER HAS INSISTED TO HIM THAT HER SON WILL SURVIVE SHOOTING
Bream asked whether the use of rail travel instead of flying may indicate an effort to avoid airport security records or TSA search. Blanche said authorities have not yet determined why the suspect chose the route.
"Why he did — that we don’t know at this point, but it could be the reasons you just described. It could be other reasons," Blanche said. "We don’t know whether he had the firearms with him."
Blanche added that investigators believe the suspect purchased the firearms within the past several years, though authorities are still working to establish how the weapons were transported.
FBI agents assemble outside a residence in Torrance, Calif., connected to Cole Allen, the suspect in the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting in Washington, D.C., on Saturday. (Louise Barnsley/Splash News for Fox News Digital)
WHO IS ANIBAL HERNANDEZ SANTANA, ACCUSED IN ABC STATION SHOOTING AND NOTE SAYING TRUMP OFFICIALS ARE 'NEXT'
"It does appear that he purchased those firearms within the past couple of years," Blanche said. "That could be another reason why he traveled by train because he had the firearms with him, but I’m speculating there."
Federal prosecutors are expected to pursue initial charges tied to firearm use during a violent crime and assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon, with additional charges possible as evidence develops.
"We don’t know what charges could come later. It depends on what evidence we develop," Blanche said. "But right now those two charges are the ones that we expect."
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Blanche also praised the response from security personnel and law enforcement agencies, saying they prevented the suspect from breaching the security perimeter near President Donald Trump.
"The reality is he didn’t really get past the perimeter," Blanche said. "That means law enforcement, Secret Service, the Metropolitan Police Department, the FBI did their jobs."
CJ joined Fox News Digital's team in 2026, which highlights the vital role journalism plays in shaping politics and culture. He has years of experience analyzing and reporting on the news media.
CJ graduated from Long Beach State University in 2025 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a minor in Journalism.
Story tips can be sent to cj.womack@fox.com, and you can follow on Twitter.
Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox.
By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time.
You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter!
