Trump Shooter Pleads Not Guilty

Cole Allen, the man accused of attempting to assassinate US President Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner last month, pleaded not guilty Monday to all charges in federal court in Washington.

Allen, 31, of California, did not speak during the brief hearing. His attorney, Tezira Abe, entered the plea on his behalf before US District Judge Trevor McFadden, who will oversee the case.

Allen faces charges including attempted assassination of the president, assault on a federal officer and firearms offenses. Prosecutors allege he traveled to Washington by train carrying a shotgun, a pistol and knives, then booked a room at the Washington Hilton, where the April 25 dinner was held.

According to prosecutors, Allen fired a shotgun at a US Secret Service agent and stormed a security checkpoint in what authorities say was a foiled attack on Trump and other senior administration officials attending the event.

Allen appeared in court wearing an orange jumpsuit and shackled at the waist. It was his first appearance before McFadden.

The case has already raised questions about Allen’s treatment in custody. A different judge apologized to him last week over conditions at a local Washington jail, where Allen was placed on suicide precautions and isolated from other inmates.

Monday’s hearing also previewed the next major legal dispute in the case: whether senior Justice Department officials should be removed from the prosecution.

Allen’s defense team is expected to seek the disqualification of acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and US Attorney Jeanine Pirro, arguing that both were present at the dinner and may have been among Allen’s alleged targets. Defense attorney Eugene Ohm said the team may also seek the recusal of the entire US Attorney’s Office in Washington, which Pirro leads.

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

Pirro previously told CNN that her presence at the dinner did not affect her ability to oversee the prosecution.

“My ability to prosecute this case has nothing to do with my being there,” she said.

Prosecutors are expected to respond to the defense filing by May 22.

Federal investigators have also been examining Allen’s possible motive. A Department of Homeland Security intelligence assessment reportedly identified the US-Israeli war with Iran as one possible factor, alongside other political grievances reflected in Allen’s online activity and writings.