Welcome to The Beat. I'm Antonia Hilton in this evening for Ari Melbur. Today, the shooting outside

the White House Correspondence Dinner is renewing scrutiny of America's political climate,

from partisan rhetoric and conspiracy theories to the very boundaries of free speech. We start

with the shooting suspect in federal court today. 31-year-old Cole Thomas Allen charged with three counts, the most serious, an attempt to

assassinate the president of the United States.

Allen also facing two weapons charges, including discharging a firearm during a crime

of violence.

The assassination charge could carry a penalty of life in prison.

Alan did not enter a plea.

He's going to be back in court on Thursday. The hearing today taking only about 15 minutes.

Late today, top DOJ officials gave a press conference and said they expect more charges to be filed in this case. The New York Post, obtaining over a thousand pages attributed

to the suspect, apparently laying out some of his alleged motives, including calling himself

a friendly federal assassin. It also contains apologies to loved ones. And lists so-called rules

of engagement with secret service agents, guests, and Trump

administration officials, making it clear the latter are his primary targets, with one curious

exception, the director of the FBI, Cash Patel. In his writings, the suspect critiqued security,

mocking what he described as lax precautions and expressing surprise, he was able to enter

the hotel armed without detection. The Washington Post reports that the Trump administration

provided a lower level of security for the dinner than it has for other gatherings of high-ranking

officials, even though the president and many cabinet members were in attendance. The Wall Street Journal reports that guests were able to access the hotel's lobby and lower levels

without going through security scans and only passed through magnetometers before they entered

the ballroom. Quote, it was easier to get into the dinner than many big sports events and

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