The man accused of attempting to assassinate U.S. President Donald Trump during a White House gala last month pleaded not guilty to all charges in federal court on Monday.
Cole Allen, 31, of California, did not address the court as his attorney, Tezira Abe, entered the plea on his behalf. Allen faces multiple charges, including attempted assassination of the president, assault on a federal officer and firearms offences.
Prosecutors allege Allen fired a shotgun at a U.S. Secret Service agent and forced his way through a security checkpoint in what authorities described as a foiled attack targeting Trump and other senior members of his administration during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
According to court filings, Allen travelled to Washington by train carrying a shotgun, a pistol and knives, and booked a room at the Washington Hilton hotel, where the dinner was held on 25 April.
Allen appeared in court wearing an orange prison jumpsuit and was shackled at the waist during the brief hearing. It marked his first appearance in Washington federal court before U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden, who will oversee the remainder of the case.
The hearing followed an apology last week from a different judge over Allen’s treatment while in custody at a Washington, D.C., jail. The judge said Allen had been placed on suicide watch and isolated from other inmates.
Monday’s proceedings also previewed a key legal dispute ahead, with the defence preparing to challenge the involvement of senior prosecutors in the case. Allen is seeking to disqualify Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, arguing that both were present at the Correspondents’ Dinner and may have been among his alleged intended targets.
Allen’s lawyer, Eugene Ohm, said the defence is likely to seek the recusal of the entire U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington, which Pirro leads, citing her friendship with Trump and her status as a potential victim.
“It is wholly inappropriate for victims of an alleged event like this to be individually prosecuting the case,” Ohm said.
Prosecutors are expected to respond to the defence’s legal filing by 22 May. Pirro previously told CNN that her presence at the dinner would not affect her role, saying: “My ability to prosecute this case has nothing to do with my being there.”
The U.S. military said it completed a fresh wave of strikes on Iran late on Thursday, marking the 13th consecutive night of American attacks. The late...
Six candidates vying to become the next United Nations Secretary-General have called for restoring the organisation's credibility, strengthening multi...
Brazil has banned the production and sale of foie gras, the French delicacy made from fattened duck or goose liver. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silv...
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 23rd of July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
U.S. strikes on Iran entered a 12th consecutive night, while Yemen's Houthis said they attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, urging President Donald Trump to warn Tehran it would be held responsible for any future Houthi attacks.
The U.S. military said it completed a fresh wave of strikes on Iran late on Thursday, marking the 13th consecutive night of American attacks. The latest operation lasted more than two hours, according to U.S. Central Command.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 24th July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Aleksandar Vučić's visit to Kyiv on 15 July appeared to send a geopolitical signal. But the significance of the trip lies less in the journey itself than in the limits Serbia carefully observed.
Six candidates vying to become the next United Nations Secretary-General have called for restoring the organisation's credibility, strengthening multilateralism and reforming the UN, during the first public town hall debate ahead of a decisive Security Council vote next week.
Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are facing renewed Western scrutiny after the EU expanded sanctions targeting Russia's supply chains and the U.S. introduced new tariffs affecting trade with Central Asia.
A fast-moving wildfire has forced more than 10,000 people to evacuate homes and camping sites near France's Atlantic coast as extreme heat and worsening drought continue to fuel wildfires across Europe.
Fresh off attracting $4.3 billion in foreign investment and loans during the first half of 2026, Tashkent is using the Global Business Services Forum (GBSF) to showcase Uzbekistan's growing appeal as a destination for international investment in technology, outsourcing and artificial intelligence.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has begun his first week working from No 10 North in Manchester, promising to shift power away from London, strengthen regional decision-making and drive economic growth across the country.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment