Trump assassination accused pleads not guilty in White House gala case

Cole Allen pleaded not guilty in Washington to charges linked to an alleged attempt on Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. The hearing also sharpened a defence challenge over whether senior officials who attended the event should be involved in the prosecution.

In Short

• Allen remained silent as his lawyer entered the plea in court
• Prosecutors said he carried a shotgun, pistol and knives by train
• Authorities allege he fired at a Secret Service agent after breaching security

The man accused of attempting to assassinate US President Donald Trump during a White House reporters’ gala last month pleaded not guilty to all charges in a Washington federal court on Monday.

Cole Allen, 31, from California, remained silent during the hearing as his attorney, Tezira Abe, entered the plea on his behalf. Allen faces charges including attempted assassination of the president, assault on a federal officer and firearms offences.

According to prosecutors, Allen allegedly fired a shotgun at a US Secret Service agent and breached a security checkpoint during what authorities described as a failed attack targeting Trump and senior administration officials at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on April 25.

Investigators said Allen travelled to Washington by train carrying a shotgun, a pistol and knives, and had booked a room at the Washington Hilton hotel, where the annual event took place.

Allen appeared in court wearing an orange prison jumpsuit and waist shackles in his first appearance before US District Judge Trevor McFadden, who is expected to oversee the remainder of the case.

The court proceedings also highlighted a growing legal dispute over the involvement of acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and Washington US Attorney Jeanine Pirro in the prosecution. Allen’s defence team argued that both officials attended the dinner and could have been among the alleged targets.

Defence lawyer Eugene Ohm said the legal team may seek the recusal of the entire Washington US Attorney’s Office, led by Pirro, citing her friendship with Trump and potential role as a victim in the alleged incident.

“It is wholly inappropriate for victims of an alleged event like this to be individually prosecuting the case,” Ohm told the court, according to Reuters.

Prosecutors are expected to respond to the defence filing by May 22. Pirro previously told CNN that her attendance at the dinner would not affect her ability to prosecute the case fairly.

In a separate hearing last week, another judge apologised to Allen over his treatment at a Washington, DC jail, where he had reportedly been placed on suicide watch and isolated from other inmates.

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