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. Senate rejected a resolution on Wednesday that would have directed President Donald Trump to remove U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran...
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 25 June, covering the latest developments you need to know. ...
The Trump administration is expected to move forward with a proposed $750 million sale of F-110 jet engines to Türkiye despite objections from a seni...
Strong earthquakes struck west of Venezuela's capital on Wednesday, toppling buildings in Caracas, trapping people in the rubble and prompting scienti...
Brazil moved closer to the World Cup 2026 knockout stage with a Vinícius Jr double, while Morocco fought back in a six-goal thriller against Haiti, a...
The Trump administration is expected to move forward with a proposed $750 million sale of F-110 jet engines to Türkiye despite objections from a senior Democratic lawmaker, according to media reports.
Russia has called for clarification on whether U.S. President Donald Trump has changed his position on the war in Ukraine following remarks made at the recent G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains.
Oman has announced measures to keep vessels moving through the Strait of Hormuz, confirming it will maintain free passage and impose no tolls as efforts continue to restore navigation through the strategic waterway.
Iran has strengthened ties with regional partners and agreed a roadmap for technical talks with the U.S. aimed at securing a final peace agreement within two months.
Russia has called for clarification on whether U.S. President Donald Trump has changed his position on the war in Ukraine following remarks made at the recent G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains.
Israel's defence minister said on Wednesday Israeli troops will not withdraw from southern Lebanon, highlighting a hurdle to Iran-U.S. peace talks, as the top U.S. diplomat tours the Middle East to win over allies sceptical about a proposed deal.
A Ukrainian strike has damaged a school building in a Russian-controlled area of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region, according to local authorities cited by the TASS news agency. No injuries were reported in the incident.
U.S. President Donald Trump said that Iran had agreed to nuclear inspections into "infinity, despite Tehran's denials, and that unfrozen Iranian assets would be used to buy humanitarian supplies from the United States.
The U.S. Senate rejected a resolution on Wednesday that would have directed President Donald Trump to remove U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran unless Congress formally authorised military action.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 25 June, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Strong earthquakes struck west of Venezuela's capital on Wednesday, toppling buildings in Caracas, trapping people in the rubble and prompting scientists to warn of potentially heavy casualties.
A cemetery in the Gaza Strip containing the remains of 22 Canadian soldiers killed during a 1956 United Nations peacekeeping mission has been destroyed, according to media reports citing families of the deceased.
Tesla has been sued by the family of a 76-year-old Texas woman who was killed when a driver using the company’s Model 3 driver-assistance system crashed into her suburban Houston home, according to a lawsuit filed Tuesday (23 June).
Extreme heat in France has killed hundreds of thousands of poultry and overwhelmed carcass disposal systems, agricultural organisations said. A severe heatwave continues to disrupt farming, energy supplies and daily life across Western Europe.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment