Cole Tomas Allen Pleads Not Guilty In Trump Assassination Attempt

The man accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump during last month’s White House Correspondents’ Association dinner pleaded not guilty on Monday to all charges against him in federal court.

Cole Tomas Allen, 31, appeared in court wearing an orange jail uniform with his hands and legs shackled. He did not speak during the hearing, and his attorney entered the plea on his behalf.

Allen faces charges including attempted assassination of the President, assault on a federal officer, transporting a firearm across state lines to commit a felony, and discharging a weapon during a crime of violence. He could face life in prison if convicted on the attempted assassination charge.

Prosecutors allege Allen stormed through a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton during the April 25 event and fired a shotgun at a U.S. Secret Service officer. The annual gala was attended by Trump and more than 2,500 journalists, government officials, and guests.

Authorities said the Secret Service officer, who was struck once in a bullet-resistant vest, returned fire with five shots but did not hit anyone. Allen suffered injuries during the confrontation, though authorities said he was not struck by gunfire.

Defense attorneys are seeking to disqualify Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro from participating in the prosecution, arguing that both officials attended the event and could be considered victims or witnesses.

In court Monday, defense attorney Eugene Ohm said he intended to seek removal of not only Pirro but also her office from the case, arguing there was a “structural appearance of impropriety” because of her supervisory role, the New York Post reported.

“It’s wholly inappropriate,” Ohm argued, for Pirro or Blanche to “be making the primary prosecutorial decisions in the case.”

U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden, who is overseeing the case, questioned the scope of the defense request and asked whether prosecutors intended to call Blanche or Pirro as witnesses.

McFadden noted that if the defense motion succeeded, it “sounds like you’d be out too,” referring to Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Jones, according to the Post.

Defense attorneys have also raised concerns about Allen’s treatment at the D.C. jail, where they said he was placed on suicide watch without justification following the shooting.

According to court filings, Allen was subjected to restraints, constant lighting, and repeated strip searches. McFadden said he was troubled by the reported conditions.

Prosecutors defended the precautions, saying Allen told investigators the night of the shooting that he did not expect to survive. Officials said he is no longer on suicide watch.

Pirro said prosecutors would respond to the defense arguments in a future filing.

McFadden scheduled a status conference in the case for June 29.