A California man accused of attempting to assassinate former US President Donald Trump during a White House press gala last month has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Cole Allen, 31, entered his plea on Monday before Judge Trevor McFadden at a federal district court in Washington, D.C. He appeared in court wearing an orange prison jumpsuit and handcuffs.
The judge scheduled a status conference in the case for June 29 as legal proceedings continue.
Allen is facing four federal charges linked to the April 25 incident at the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) dinner held at a downtown Washington hotel. If convicted, he could spend the rest of his life in prison.
The charges include attempting to assassinate the president, transporting a firearm and ammunition across state lines with intent to commit a felony, using a firearm during a violent crime, and assaulting a federal officer.
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His legal team is also seeking to have acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and Jeanine Pirro, the US Attorney for the District of Columbia, removed from the case, arguing that both were present as guests at the WHCA dinner.
Prosecutors allege that Allen, described as a highly educated teacher and engineer, travelled from California to Washington by train, carrying weapons that included a shotgun, a handgun, and several knives.
Authorities say he never reached Trump or other attendees at the dinner, which was held on a lower floor of the venue. During the incident, security personnel evacuated Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and other officials after gunshots were reportedly heard.
Allen was quickly apprehended after allegedly breaching a security checkpoint and firing a single shot, which reportedly struck a Secret Service agent in the chest, causing minor injuries. The agent, who was wearing a bulletproof vest, returned fire but did not hit Allen.
The WHCA dinner typically brings together journalists, government officials, celebrities, and public figures. Trump had previously avoided the annual event but attended this year.
The alleged attack marks the third reported assassination attempt targeting the 79-year-old within two years.
In 2024, during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, a gunman opened fire, killing one spectator and grazing Trump in the ear. Months later, another armed suspect was arrested at a golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida, where Trump was playing.