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Suspect enters not guilty plea in federal court
Cole Tomas Allen, 31, appeared in Washington DC on Monday to face charges of federal gun crimes and attempting to assassinate US President Donald Trump during last month's White House Correspondents' Association dinner.
Allen, dressed in an orange jumpsuit and shackled at the wrists and feet, entered a not guilty plea before US District Judge Trevor McFadden, who will oversee the case, according to reports from CBS News.
Alleged attack at high-profile event
Prosecutors accuse Allen of attempting to bypass a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton hotel on 27 April, where the annual dinner was underway. The event was attended by President Trump, Vice-President JD Vance, cabinet members, and senior White House officials.
During an exchange of gunfire, a US Secret Service agent was struck but protected by a bullet-proof vest. Allen was tackled by agents just steps away from a staircase leading to the ballroom where the dinner was taking place. Gunshots prompted the evacuation of attendees, including the president and other top officials.
Evidence and prosecutors' account
According to a memorandum filed by federal prosecutors, Allen traveled from his home in Torrance, California, departing on 21 April. He took a train to Chicago before continuing to Washington DC.
At approximately 20:03 EST (01:03 BST), Allen photographed himself in his hotel room wearing formal attire, a shoulder holster, pliers, and wire cutters. Additional images included in the filing show him posing with multiple weapons, including a sheathed knife and a bag of ammunition.
Prosecutors allege Allen spent the following half-hour monitoring live coverage of the correspondents' dinner online before descending toward the ballroom. Witnesses described him sprinting through a metal detector while holding a shotgun in a raised position.
Defense challenges prosecutors' involvement
Allen's legal team has requested the disqualification of all US attorneys in the Washington DC office, including US Attorney for DC Jeanine Pirro, from the case. The defense also seeks to remove Attorney General Todd Blanche from the proceedings.
"They have publicly portrayed themselves as victims of this attack, making it wholly inappropriate for them to direct the prosecution," said Eugene Ohm, one of Allen's attorneys.
Eugene Ohm, Defense Attorney
The Justice Department has been ordered to respond to the motion by 22 June.
Next steps in the case
Judge McFadden will preside over upcoming hearings as the case proceeds. No trial date has been set, and prosecutors continue to build their case against Allen based on the evidence collected.
