Cole Thomas Allen (31) of Torrance, California, who was arrested for the shooting at the reception with US President Donald Trump, outlined the reasons for his actions in a "manifesto" after his arrest.
Allen explicitly states that his goal was to attack officials from the Trump administration, whom he classified in a priority list from highest to lowest.
In his letter, he calls Donald Trump a "traitor" and makes references to allegations of sexual assault.
The perpetrator describes himself as "The Friendly Federal Assassin". He claims that his actions are in line with Christian morality, stating that "to turn the other cheek when another is oppressed is not Christian behavior, but complicity in the crimes of the oppressor."
His motives express anger at the administration's policies, including the federal government's actions against suspected drug boats in the Pacific.
In his manifesto, he specifies that hotel guests and employees are not his targets, and that Secret Service agents should be attacked only if necessary and, if possible, in a non-lethal manner.