The man accused of storming the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner armed with weapons pleaded not guilty Monday to charges of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump.
Cole Tomas Allen, 31, appeared in federal court handcuffed and in an orange jail uniform. His attorney entered the plea on his behalf during the brief arraignment.
Allen’s lawyers are asking U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden to disqualify Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro from the case, arguing both were attendees at the event and could be victims or witnesses.
Defense attorney Eugene Ohm suggested they may seek to disqualify Pirro’s entire office. The judge did not rule but requested further details on the recusal request.
On April 25, Allen ran through a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton and fired a shotgun at a Secret Service officer, who was struck in a bulletproof vest. The attack cut short the prominent annual event.
Allen faces four counts, including attempted assassination and assaulting a federal officer. A conviction on the first count alone carries a maximum life sentence.
He is scheduled to return to court June 29.