A California man accused of attempting to assassinate US President Donald Trump during a White House correspondents’ event has pleaded not guilty to all federal charges in a Washington court.
Cole Allen, 31, appeared before a federal judge on Monday in connection with the alleged attack that prosecutors say targeted President Trump and senior members of his administration during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner held on April 25 at the Washington Hilton hotel.
Allen’s attorney, Tezira Abe, entered the not guilty plea on his behalf during the brief hearing. The defendant did not speak during the court proceedings and appeared in an orange prison jumpsuit while restrained with waist shackles.
Federal prosecutors have charged Allen with attempted assassination of the president, assault on a federal officer, and multiple firearms-related offences.
According to investigators, Allen allegedly travelled from California to Washington, DC, by train carrying a shotgun, handgun, and several knives. Prosecutors claim he booked a room at the Washington Hilton, where the high-profile annual media and political gathering was taking place.
Authorities allege Allen opened fire on a US Secret Service agent with a shotgun and attempted to breach a security checkpoint during what officials described as a planned attack targeting President Trump and other government officials attending the event.
The incident triggered an immediate security response and the alleged attack was ultimately foiled before any harm could reach the president or guests attending the dinner.
The case is now being overseen by US District Judge Trevor McFadden, who presided over Allen’s first appearance in Washington federal court. The hearing marked the beginning of what is expected to become a major and closely watched federal criminal case.
The proceedings also highlighted an emerging legal dispute surrounding potential conflicts of interest within the prosecution team.
Allen’s defence attorney, Eugene Ohm, indicated that the defence plans to seek the disqualification of acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and US Attorney Jeanine Pirro from participating in the case. According to the defence, both officials attended the White House Correspondents’ Dinner and may have been among the alleged targets of the attack.
Ohm argued that prosecutors directly connected to the event should not oversee the case due to concerns regarding impartiality.
“It is wholly inappropriate for victims of an alleged event like this to be individually prosecuting the case,” Ohm told the court.
The defence is also expected to request the recusal of the entire US Attorney’s Office in Washington, which is currently led by Jeanine Pirro. Ohm cited Pirro’s friendship with President Trump and her potential status as a victim in the alleged attack as grounds for the request.
Federal prosecutors are scheduled to formally respond to the defence motion by May 22.
In previous media remarks, Pirro rejected suggestions that her presence at the dinner could affect her role in the prosecution.
“My ability to prosecute this case has nothing to do with my being there,” Pirro said during an interview with CNN.
Separately, another federal judge last week apologised to Allen regarding conditions at a Washington, DC, jail facility where he had reportedly been held under suicide precautions and isolated from other inmates.
The case has drawn national attention due to the seriousness of the allegations and the high-profile nature of the event where the attack allegedly occurred. Security surrounding President Trump and future White House public events is also expected to face renewed scrutiny following the incident.
If convicted, Allen could face severe federal penalties, including life imprisonment.
