Good afternoon, everybody. Thanks for being here. On Saturday night, as you all know, an act of violence occurred at a gathering that symbolizes something fundamental to our system of government.

From the New York Times, I'm Rachel Abrams, and this is the Daily.

Today, the Department of Justice filed three federal charges in United States District Court against Cole Thomas Allen.

On Monday, the man accused of storming the White House Correspondents Center with multiple weapons was charged in federal court in Washington, D.C.

Violence has no place in civic life. It cannot and will not be used to disrupt democratic institutions or intimidate those who serve them,

and it certainly cannot continue to be used

against the President of the United States.

Today, Devlin Barrett explains what we're learning about the suspect,

his plan to target the president,

and whether this entire event should ultimately be thought of

as a security failure or success.

Music as a security failure or success. It's Tuesday, April 28th.

Devlin Barrett, welcome back to The Daily.

Thanks for having me.

So we've been getting some clarity on who this shooter was who attempted to storm the White House correspondence dinner on Saturday.

Details have been emerging since this happened.

But, Devlin, you cover the Justice Department for the Times.

Tell us what we learned on Monday.

So on Monday, there were a few key developments. First, the suspect, Cole Allen, was formally

charged in a criminal complaint. He was charged with attempting to assassinate the president.

That wasn't the only charge, but it's the most important charge by far, because that charge carries a potential

life sentence. The other two charges in the criminal complaint are transportation of a firearm

...