Alleged WHCD Trump Assassin Pleads Not Guilty As Case Moves Forward
The man accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump during last month’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner entered a not guilty plea Monday in federal court as prosecutors pursue charges that could send him to prison for life.
Cole Tomas Allen appeared before the US District Court for the District of Columbia to formally deny charges tied to the April 25 attack at the Washington Hilton Hotel.
Federal prosecutors allege Allen stormed a security checkpoint while heavily armed as Trump and other senior administration officials attended the annual event nearby.
According to investigators, Allen was carrying a shotgun, handgun and multiple knives when he allegedly charged toward Secret Service personnel guarding the venue. Prosecutors say he also shot a Secret Service agent during the incident.
Allen now faces multiple federal charges, including attempting to assassinate the president, assaulting a federal officer and several firearms offenses.
Authorities claim Allen sent a disturbing email to family members shortly before or during the attack in which he appeared to reference his alleged plans and possible political motivations.
“So I may have given a lot of people a surprise today,” the email allegedly stated, according to an FBI affidavit.
The message also reportedly included an apology to his family while referencing an “interview” for “Most Wanted.”
Investigators further alleged that Allen identified administration officials as targets, writing: “Administration officials (not including Mr. Patel): they are targets, prioritized from highest-ranking to lowest.”
The case is being overseen by Zia Faruqui, who drew attention last week after criticizing Allen’s jail conditions and apologizing to him in court over his treatment while in federal custody.
“I’m sorry,” Faruqui told Allen during an earlier hearing. “Whatever you’ve been through, I apologize for the prior week.”
According to court proceedings, Allen had been placed under temporary suicide watch conditions that included confinement in a padded cell under constant lighting with limited access to books, recreation and communication.
Faruqui compared Allen’s treatment to that of Jan. 6 defendants previously held in Washington’s jail system, arguing that Allen appeared to be receiving harsher restrictions.
“The Jan. 6 defendants all were moved to the CTF,” the judge said. “Pardons may erase convictions but they do not erase history.”
Federal prosecutors continue to characterize the case as a major attempted assassination plot targeting Trump and senior administration officials during one of Washington’s highest-profile political gatherings.