Suspect Pleads Not Guilty in Trump Assassination Attempt

Cole Toma Allen, aged 31 from Torrance, California, pleaded not guilty to charges of attempting to kill President Donald Trump during the White House Correspondents' Dinner. The incident occurred on April 25, 2023, at the Washington Hilton Hotel, where Allen allegedly fired a shotgun at Secret Service officers who were trying to stop him.

He was handcuffed and appeared in federal court wearing an orange jail uniform. Allen's attorney, Eugen Ohm, requested the disqualification of at least two top Justice Department officials involved in the prosecution due to potential conflicts of interest, as Todd Blanch and Jeanine Pirro were present at the event during the attack.

U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden has given prosecutors until May 22 to respond to this request.

Allen faces a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted of the attempted assassination charge. He is currently on suicide watch due to concerns raised by his attorney regarding his mental state following the attack.