Man Accused of Attempted Assassination of Donald Trump Pleads Not Guilty

Cole Allen, the 31-year-old man accused of attempting to assassinate US President Donald Trump, pleaded not guilty on Monday during an appearance before a federal district court in Washington.

Allen appeared in court wearing an orange jail jumpsuit and handcuffs. The judge scheduled the next review hearing in the case for June 29.

The charges stem from an incident on April 25 at a Washington hotel during the White House Correspondents' Association annual dinner. Prosecutors have filed four charges against Allen, including attempted assassination of the president, carrying a firearm in connection with a serious felony, using a firearm during a violent crime, and assaulting a federal officer.

If convicted, Allen could face life imprisonment.

According to investigators, Allen was unable to get close to Trump or other guests gathered on the hotel’s lower floor during the attack. However, after gunshots were heard, security officials quickly evacuated President Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and other senior officials from the venue.

Authorities said Allen fired one shot after passing through a security checkpoint. The bullet struck a United States Secret Service agent in the chest, causing minor injuries. Law enforcement officers arrested Allen immediately after the shooting.

Allen’s defense lawyers have requested that Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and District of Columbia Attorney Jeanine Pirro be removed from the case, arguing that both attended the dinner as guests and could therefore present a conflict of interest.

Prosecutors said Allen, who reportedly worked as a teacher and engineer, traveled from California to Washington by train carrying a shotgun, a handgun, and several knives.