Cole Allen pleads not guilty to Trump assassination attempt

Cole Allen, 31, of California, pleaded not guilty in Washington federal court on Monday to charges including attempted assassination of President Donald Trump, assault on a federal officer, and firearms offenses. The charges stem from an incident at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on April 25, 2026, where prosecutors allege Allen fired a shotgun at a Secret Service agent and stormed a security checkpoint in a failed attempt to target Trump and other administration members. Allen appeared in an orange jumpsuit and shackles before US District Judge Trevor McFadden, who will oversee the remainder of the case. The hearing came a week after a different judge apologized to Allen for his treatment in a local DC jail, where he was placed on suicide precautions and isolated from other inmates.

The next major legal battle will focus on the defense's motion to disqualify acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and US Attorney Jeanine Pirro from the case, as well as potentially the entire US Attorney's Office in Washington. Defense attorney Eugene Ohm argued that both officials were present at the dinner and may be among Allen's alleged targets, creating a conflict of interest. Pirro's friendship with Trump further complicates matters. The judge has yet to rule on the recusal requests. The case continues to attract national attention due to its high-profile nature and the unprecedented legal questions around prosecutor impartiality.