White House Press Gala Shooting Suspect Pleads Not Guilty
California man charged with attempting to assassinate US President Donald Trump at a White House press gala pleads not guilty.
A California man charged with attempting to assassinate US President Donald Trump at a White House press gala last month pleaded not guilty on Monday.
Cole Allen, 31, entered the not guilty plea during an appearance before Judge Trevor McFadden in a federal district court in Washington, D.C. Allen appeared in court wearing an orange jumpsuit and handcuffs.
The judge scheduled a status conference for June 29.
Allen faces four charges in connection with the April 25 attack at the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) dinner at a downtown Washington hotel.
He is charged with attempting to assassinate the president, transporting a firearm and ammunition across state lines with intent to commit a felony, using a firearm during a crime of violence, and assaulting a federal officer.
Allen's attorneys are seeking to have acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and Jeanine Pirro removed from the case due to their attendance at the WHCA dinner.
Prosecutors allege that Allen, described as a highly-educated teacher and engineer, traveled by train from California to Washington carrying an arsenal that included a shotgun, a handgun, and numerous knives.
He never managed to get close to Trump or the other guests attending the White House press dinner on a lower floor.
The president, Vice President JD Vance, and other government officials were rushed out of the venue by security officers after gunshots were heard.
Allen charged through a security checkpoint and fired a single shot, which allegedly struck a Secret Service agent in the chest, slightly wounding him.
The agent, wearing a bulletproof vest, returned fire but did not hit Allen.
The annual dinner draws Washington journalists, administration officials, celebrities, and entertainers.
Trump had traditionally boycotted the event but decided to attend this year.
It was the third alleged assassination attempt against the 79-year-old Trump in less than two years.
In 2024, a gunman fired several shots during a presidential campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, killing an audience member and grazing Trump's ear.
A few months later, another armed man was arrested near a West Palm Beach golf course where Trump was playing.
Cole Allen, 31, entered the not guilty plea during an appearance before Judge Trevor McFadden in a federal district court in Washington, D.C. Allen appeared in court wearing an orange jumpsuit and handcuffs.
The judge scheduled a status conference for June 29.
Allen faces four charges in connection with the April 25 attack at the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) dinner at a downtown Washington hotel.
He is charged with attempting to assassinate the president, transporting a firearm and ammunition across state lines with intent to commit a felony, using a firearm during a crime of violence, and assaulting a federal officer.
Allen's attorneys are seeking to have acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and Jeanine Pirro removed from the case due to their attendance at the WHCA dinner.
Prosecutors allege that Allen, described as a highly-educated teacher and engineer, traveled by train from California to Washington carrying an arsenal that included a shotgun, a handgun, and numerous knives.
He never managed to get close to Trump or the other guests attending the White House press dinner on a lower floor.
The president, Vice President JD Vance, and other government officials were rushed out of the venue by security officers after gunshots were heard.
Allen charged through a security checkpoint and fired a single shot, which allegedly struck a Secret Service agent in the chest, slightly wounding him.
The agent, wearing a bulletproof vest, returned fire but did not hit Allen.
The annual dinner draws Washington journalists, administration officials, celebrities, and entertainers.
Trump had traditionally boycotted the event but decided to attend this year.
It was the third alleged assassination attempt against the 79-year-old Trump in less than two years.
In 2024, a gunman fired several shots during a presidential campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, killing an audience member and grazing Trump's ear.
A few months later, another armed man was arrested near a West Palm Beach golf course where Trump was playing.
