Cole Allen, the 31-year-old California man accused of attempting to assassinate U.S. President Donald Trump, has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
During a hearing on Monday, May 11, in federal court in Washington, D.C., Allen’s attorney, Tejra Abe, entered the plea before Judge Trevor McFadden.
Prosecutors allege that on April 25, Allen breached a security checkpoint during the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner and fired a shotgun at a United States Secret Service agent. The event, held at the Washington Hilton, was attended by Trump and several senior
administration officials.
Investigators say Allen travelled to Washington by train carrying a shotgun, a pistol, and a knife, and had booked a room at the hotel hosting the event. According to court documents, Allen later told Federal Bureau of Investigation agents that he did not expect to survive the attack, prompting authorities to classify him as a suicide risk.
The case has also raised legal questions about potential conflicts of interest. Allen’s defense team has asked the court to bar at least two senior Justice Department officials from direct involvement in the prosecution.
They argue that Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro were both present at the dinner and could therefore be considered potential victims or witnesses.
Defense attorney Eugene Oh said the defense may seek to remove the entire Washington U.S. Attorney’s Office from the case, arguing that “it is wholly inappropriate for alleged victims to oversee the prosecution.” Pirro previously said that her presence at the event does not affect her ability to handle the case. Prosecutors are expected to respond to the
motion by May 22.
Allen’s jail conditions have also drawn scrutiny. Following his arrest, he was placed under suicide watch and held separately from other inmates. Although that designation was later removed, his lawyers say he has been kept in a padded cell under constant lighting, repeatedly strip-searched, and shackled outside his cell.
Last week, another judge reportedly apologized to Allen in court over his treatment while in custody.
Allen faces charges including attempted assassination of the president, assaulting a federal officer with a deadly weapon, and two additional weapons offences. If convicted on the attempted assassination chargealone, he could face life in prison.
The next court hearing is scheduled for June 29.
