Cole Tomas Allen Pleads Not Guilty to Attempted Assassination of Trump

Cole Tomas Allen pleaded not guilty Monday to federal charges that he attempted to assassinate President Trump during the White House Correspondents' Association dinner last month. Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, appeared in U.S. District Court in Washington handcuffed and shackled, wearing an orange jail uniform.

He did not speak during the brief arraignment as one of his attorneys entered the plea on his behalf. U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden presided over the hearing. Allen faces four counts including attempted assassination of the president, assaulting a federal officer with a deadly weapon, discharging a firearm during a violent crime and transportation of a firearm and ammunition in interstate commerce.

He could face a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted on the assassination charge alone.

Both officials were attending the dinner when the attack occurred and could be considered victims or witnesses, the defense argued in a filing last week. The request could extend to Pirro's entire office, though a bid to disqualify the full Justice Department was described as unlikely. McFadden did not rule immediately.

He directed prosecutors to file a written response by May 22 explaining whether they believe Blanche and Pirro qualify as victims. The judge also asked defense attorneys to elaborate on the scope of their recusal request and noted that appointment of a special prosecutor might be warranted. The incident occurred on April 25 at the Washington Hilton.

Allen stormed a security checkpoint armed with a shotgun, pistol and knives before firing at a Secret Service officer. The officer was struck once in a bullet-resistant vest but was not injured and returned fire, though no one was hit by those shots. Allen was tackled before he could reach the ballroom where more than 2,500 guests, including Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, were gathered.

Attendees dropped to the floor and under tables as agents rushed Trump and other administration officials from the dais. The dinner was halted within minutes and ultimately ended early. Allen had checked into the hotel a day earlier after traveling cross-country by train from California.

He had reserved the room on April 6, weeks before the event. Prosecutors said Allen took a selfie in his hotel room minutes before the attack, outfitted with an ammunition bag, shoulder holster and sheathed knife. In a message cited by authorities, he referred to himself as a "Friendly Federal Assassin" and alluded to grievances over actions by Trump's Republican administration.

Allen told investigators he did not expect to survive the attempt. Allen was injured during the confrontation when he tripped but was not shot. He was placed on suicide watch after his arrest. A separate judge last week apologized for Allen's treatment in a local jail, where he had been held in a padded cell with constant lighting, subjected to repeated strip searches and placed in restraints.

Jail officials later removed him from suicide watch. Allen is scheduled to return to court on June 29. The White House Correspondents' Association has not yet decided whether to reschedule the dinner or hold it in another form.

“When you’re impactful, they go after you. " — President Trump, April 25 (Los Angeles Times) The defense has complained that Allen's conditions of confinement, including restrictions on bringing legal documents into his cell, hamper his ability to prepare his case.”