Former President Barack Obama is facing sharp backlash after claiming the motive behind the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting remained unclear — despite an alleged manifesto spelling out hostility toward President Donald Trump and his administration.
“Although we don’t yet have the details about the motives behind last night’s shooting at the White House Correspondents Dinner, it’s incumbent upon all of us to reject the idea that violence has any place in our democracy,” Obama wrote on X Sunday afternoon.
He also praised law enforcement.
“It’s also a sobering reminder of the courage and sacrifice that U.S. Secret Service Agents show every day. I’m grateful to them – and thankful that the agent who was shot is going to be okay.”
But critics quickly seized on Obama’s statement, arguing the suspect’s own words make the motive clear.
“There is no ambiguity. It was a politically motivated attack driven by anti-Trump and anti-Christian bile. It’s wrong to downplay or obscure the obvious motive,” said former Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin.
Oh, come on. The shooter left a detailed manifesto in his hotel room and sent writings to family members shortly before the attack where explicitly identified himself as the “Friendly Federal Assassin” and said was targeting Trump administration officials—prioritized from… https://t.co/dL36V7wo8O
— Tricia McLaughlin (@TriciaOhio) April 26, 2026
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin echoed that sentiment.
“Let’s not pretend to be this clueless about motive,” he wrote on X.
Zeldin pointed directly to the suspect’s writings.
“The attempted assassin put out an anti-Trump manifesto about wanting to kill Trump Admin officials, minutes before trying to storm a ballroom filled with the President, VP, Cabinet, and many others from his Admin,” the former Long Island congressman said.
Let’s not pretend to be this clueless about motive, @BarackObama
The attempted assassin put out an anti-Trump manifesto about wanting to kill Trump Admin officials, minutes before trying to storm a ballroom filled with the President, VP, Cabinet, and many others from his Admin. https://t.co/GvpJ6cJuUK
— Lee Zeldin (@LeeMZeldin) April 26, 2026
“It was politically motivated,” Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) added. “He made that pretty clear.”
It was politically motivated
He made that pretty clear https://t.co/PwMUA7T4RI
— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) April 26, 2026
The Republican National Committee’s research account also weighed in, accusing Obama of ignoring the facts.
“Law enforcement officers confirmed this radicalized Leftist was targeting President Trump and his administration last night,” RNC Research wrote. “Why are you lying.”
You are so SICK!
Law enforcement officers confirmed this radicalized Leftist was targeting President Trump and his administration last night.
Why are you lying? https://t.co/XuHkB3yRvJ
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) April 26, 2026
According to law enforcement, the suspect — identified as 31-year-old California educator Cole Allen — authored a rambling manifesto outlining his desire to kill Trump administration officials “from highest-ranking to lowest.”
“I am no longer willing to permit a pedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes,” Allen wrote, apparently referring to the president.
The document reportedly references several Trump administration policies, including immigration enforcement, and repeatedly invokes religious themes.
More over at The New York Post:
Ex-President Barack Obama claims 'we don't know' WHCD gunman's motives – despite raving anti-Trump manifesto https://t.co/3enqT9sIq1 pic.twitter.com/1vpH4YY9iq
— New York Post (@nypost) April 27, 2026
