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Press dinner gunman pleads not guilty to attempting to assassinate Trump

Prosecutors say the 31-year-old fired a shotgun at a Secret Service agent and could face life in prison if convicted.

  • On Monday, Cole Tomas Allen pleaded not guilty in federal court to attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner last month.
  • Prosecutors allege Allen sprinted through a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton Hotel on April 26 armed with a shotgun and pistol, firing at Secret Service agents while Trump and officials attended the event nearby.
  • Investigators revealed the 31-year-old described himself as a "Friendly Federal Assassin" in notes sent to family members minutes before the attack, while records show he had planned the incident from his hotel room.
  • Defense attorneys moved to disqualify top Justice Department officials, naming U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, citing an "appearance of partiality" due to their attendance at the dinner.
  • U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden is presiding over the case, where Allen remains in custody after a Secret Service officer survived a chest wound from the shooting.
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The Californian Cole A. is accused of planning a murder attack on Donald Trump at the US President's annual correspondent dinner. The 31-year-old denies plans to do so. In addition, his defenders consider the prosecutor to be biased.

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The man suspected of trying to kill the American president at a gala party in Washington DC at the end of April pleaded not guilty. The assailant had been arrested as he was trying to enter the room, the images of his gesture had gone around the world. - Press gala shots: the suspect pleaded not guilty to attempted assassination of Trump (International).

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Fox5 DC broke the news in Washington, United States on Sunday, May 10, 2026.
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