The man accused of opening fire at a Washington dinner attended by Donald Trump was charged on Monday with attempting to assassinate the US president.

Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, could face a life sentence if convicted.

Allen appeared in Washington federal court two days after authorities said they foiled an attack at the White House Correspondents’ ‌Association Dinner, an annual black-tie gathering of journalists and politicians.

Allen’s hands were cuffed behind his back as US Marshals led him into and out of the courtroom.

At the hearing, prosecutor Jocelyn Ballantine said the weapons Allen brought to Washington included a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun and three knives.

“He attempted to assassinate the president of the United States, Donald J Trump,” Ballantine said.