Accused White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooter Cole Allen pleaded not guilty at a Monday hearing in federal court in Washington to charges that include attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump.
Allen, 31, is also charged with assault on law enforcement, transporting a firearm across state lines to commit a felony and discharging a weapon during a crime of violence. He faces up to life in prison if convicted.
Prosecutors say the April 25 attack unfolded at the Washington Hilton during the annual black-tie gala as Secret Service agents moved Trump, first lady Melania Trump and senior administration officials out of the venue. Authorities have said a Secret Service agent was struck in a ballistic vest and is expected to recover. Allen was subdued and taken into custody, according to court filings.
Allen entered the courtroom wearing an orange jumpsuit with his arms and legs shackled before approaching the bench to enter his plea before U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden.
The case is already headed for a fight over who prosecutes it.
Allen’s attorneys argue that because the alleged attack happened during an event attended by Trump and multiple Cabinet officials, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro should recuse themselves.
Defense attorney Eugene Ohm told McFadden he intends to seek removal not only of Pirro but her “entire office,” claiming there is a “structural appearance of impropriety” given her “supervisory” role.
“It’s wholly inappropriate,” Ohm argued, for Pirro or Blanche to “be making the primary prosecutorial decisions in the case.”
McFadden responded that it “sounds like you’d be out too,” should the defense succeed in its motion, addressing Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Jones.
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The judge pressed Ohm on whether the defense believes prosecutors plan to call Blanche or Pirro as witnesses. Ohm did not say they would, but pointed to Pirro’s longstanding “close” relationship with Donald Trump.
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Ohm also suggested Pirro or other Cabinet officials who attended the dinner could be listed as potential targets in a superseding indictment of Allen.
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McFadden set a status conference for June 29. Before then, prosecutors and the defense are expected to argue over whether Blanche or Pirro should step aside from the case.
Cole Allen had previously been placed on suicide watch following his arrest, according to his attorneys. The defense has also raised concerns about jail conditions, including allegations that Allen was kept alone in a cell and denied access to a Bible.
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