Cole Tomas Allen pleaded not guilty to four federal charges in an alleged White House Correspondents’ Dinner attack involving guns and knives.
Cole Tomas Allen pleaded not guilty Monday to federal charges that include attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump in an alleged attack at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
Allen entered the plea before Judge Trevor McFadden in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. He faces four counts: attempting to assassinate Trump, transporting firearms across state lines, discharging a firearm during a crime of violence and assaulting law enforcement.
The case stems from an alleged April 25 incident at the Washington Hilton, where prosecutors say Allen tried to storm the ballroom while armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives. The dinner is one of Washington’s highest-profile annual political and media events, drawing senior officials, journalists and security-heavy attendance.
Allen appeared in court in an orange jumpsuit and shackles, according to reports from the proceeding. He pleaded not guilty to all charges through his attorney.
Beyond the plea, Allen’s defense team is challenging who should be allowed to prosecute the case. His attorneys have moved to disqualify the U.S. attorney’s office in Washington, including top prosecutor Jeanine Pirro, arguing that prosecutors’ own status as potential victims or witnesses creates a conflict.
In court, public defender Eugene Ohm said the defense needed more information from the government about whether charges could be brought identifying Pirro or Todd Blanche as victims. Ohm argued it would be “wholly inappropriate” for officials who have publicly described themselves as victims of the attack to direct the prosecution.
Pirro, a longtime friend of Trump’s, has discussed being in the ballroom during the incident, according to the defense motion. Allen’s attorneys are also seeking to remove Blanche from the case.
The Justice Department has been ordered to respond to the disqualification motion by June 22. Allen’s legal team will have five days after that filing to reply, setting up the next major procedural fight before the case moves further toward trial.
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