California Man Pleads Not Guilty to Federal Charges in White House Dinner Attack
Cole Tomas Allen, 31, entered not guilty pleas to charges including attempted assassination of President Trump following the April 25 White House Correspondents’ Dinner attack.
WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA — A California man charged with attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump during last month’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner entered a not guilty plea Monday to four federal charges in Washington, D.C., federal court.
Cole Tomas Allen, 31, appeared before U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden wearing an orange jumpsuit and shackles, flanked by two law enforcement officers and his public defenders during the arraignment proceedings.
The charges against Allen include attempting to assassinate the president of the United States, which carries a possible life sentence, assaulting a U.S. officer, transporting a firearm and ammunition across state lines with intent to commit a felony, and discharging a deadly weapon during a violent crime.
April 25 Attack at Press Dinner
Allen allegedly rushed a U.S. Secret Service security checkpoint on April 25 and fired a weapon one level above the ballroom where President Trump, first lady Melania Trump, numerous Cabinet officials, thousands of administration officials, journalists and lawmakers were attending the annual event.
The president, first lady and Cabinet officials safely evacuated from the dinner following the incident. A Secret Service agent identified in court documents as V.G. was struck in his protective vest by a bullet but remained uninjured, though court documents do not specify who fired the shot that hit the agent.
According to an FBI agent’s affidavit signed April 27, Officer V.G. fired five rounds from his service weapon in Allen’s direction but did not hit him during the confrontation.
Federal Investigation and Charges
U.S. Department of Justice officials obtained the indictment against Allen on May 5, according to court records. The case is being prosecuted by U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro, who attended the dinner, along with government prosecutors.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, FBI Director Kash Patel and acting Assistant FBI Director for the Criminal Investigative Division Darren Cox held a press conference at the Department of Justice on April 27 regarding the investigation.
The White House Correspondents’ Dinner is an annual event that brings together members of the press, government officials and other dignitaries. The incident marked a significant security breach at one of Washington’s most high-profile social and political gatherings.
Allen remains in federal custody as the case proceeds through the court system. No trial date has been set following Monday’s arraignment.
