Mr. Allen’s legal team has challenged Pirro’s involvement, citing his friendship with Mr. Trump and his role at the celebration where the shooting took place.
Published May 11, 2026
The man accused of trying to assassinate President Donald Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges during a White House press conference last month.
Cole Allen, 31, of California, did not speak in court as his attorney Tejira Abe argued on his behalf. Charges include attempted assassination of the president, assault on a federal officer, and firearms offenses.
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Prosecutors alleged that Mr. Allen fired a shotgun at a U.S. Secret Service agent and stormed a security checkpoint in an attempt to foil an attack on Mr. Trump and other members of his administration during a dinner with White House correspondents.
Allen’s attorneys asked U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden to disqualify at least two senior Justice Department officials from direct involvement in the prosecution, citing a potential conflict of interest because they could be considered victims or witnesses in the case.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro were attending the event when Allen ran through a security checkpoint and fired a shotgun at Secret Service agents, authorities said. Defense attorney Eugene Ohm said the defense will likely seek to have Pirro’s entire office stripped of its involvement in the case.
Mr. McFadden did not rule on the issue in court, but asked Mr. Allen’s lawyers to elaborate on the scope of the cancellation request.
“Totally inappropriate”
Allen allegedly took a train to Washington, carrying a shotgun, pistol and knife, and booked a room at the Washington Hilton, where the April 25 dinner was held.
On Monday, Allen wore an orange jumpsuit and was shackled around his waist during a brief courtroom session. It was his first appearance in federal court in Washington, D.C., before Mr. McFadden, who is presiding over the remainder of the case.
Another judge last week apologized for Allen’s treatment at the D.C. prison, which included suicide precautions and isolation from other inmates.
Eugene Ohm, another lawyer for Allen, said the defense is likely to seek a repudiation of the entire U.S. attorney’s office in Washington, D.C., which Mr. Pirro heads, because of Mr. Pirro’s friendship with Mr. Trump and his status as a potential victim.
“It is completely inappropriate for victims of cases like this to pursue individual charges,” Ohm said.
The prosecution is scheduled to respond to the defense’s legal motion by May 22nd. “My ability to prosecute this case has nothing to do with my being there (at the Hilton celebration),” Pirro previously said in an interview with CNN.
Allen is scheduled to return to court on June 29.
In addition to the attempted assassination charge, Allen is also charged with assaulting a federal officer with a deadly weapon and two additional firearm charges. If convicted of attempted assassination alone, he could be sentenced to up to life in prison.
Allen was placed on suicide watch after his arrest, but prison officials removed him from that watch a few days later. Allen’s lawyers complained that he was unnecessarily confined in a padded room with constant lighting, repeatedly stripped of his clothes and placed in restraints outside his cell.
Justice Department prosecutors said Allen told FBI agents that he did not expect to survive the attack, which may help explain why it was ruled a possible suicide.
