Cole Tomas Allen, 31, pleaded not guilty to charges related to the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner. He appeared in federal court in Washington, D.C., where his handcuffs were attached to a chain around his waist as he was led to the defense table.
Federal public defender Tezira Abe stated that Allen pleads not guilty to all four counts, including attempting to assassinate the president. The Assistant U.S. Attorney announced plans to provide discovery to the defense by the end of the week.
Officials revealed that Allen, a California teacher and engineer, was armed with multiple guns and knives when he sprinted through a security checkpoint near where Trump and White House officials were gathered. He engaged in gunfire with a Secret Service officer but was not shot himself. The officer was hit in the chest but survived.
Allen had sent his family a note before the attack, apologizing and criticizing without naming Trump directly. He also mentioned that administration officials were targets. Prosecutors found evidence in his hotel room, including a leather bag with ammunition. Allen had traveled from California to D.C., where he checked into the hotel.
His sister informed law enforcement that Allen would frequently make radical comments and had firearms at home, where he trained at shooting ranges. Records show his purchase of a shotgun and a pistol in previous years.
After his arrest, Allen told the FBI that he did not expect to survive. He remains in custody at a D.C. jail and is expected to appear in court on June 29. His legal team plans to request the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia to be recused from the case due to potential involvement.
