This courtroom sketch shows defense attorneys for White House Correspondents Association (WHCA) dinner shooting suspects Tejra Abe and Eugene Ohm flanking Cole Allen, who is accused of attempting to assassinate US President Donald Trump, as he sits in court during a plea hearing in Washington, DC, on May 11, 2026.
Emily Goff | Reuters
Cole Thomas Allen, the suspect in the White House Correspondents Association Dinner shooting, pleaded not guilty Monday to charges including attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump.
Allen, who allegedly tried to attack the Washington Hilton banquet hall with a shotgun, handgun and multiple knives, made his argument before Judge Trevor McFadden of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. He pleaded not guilty to all four charges and was handcuffed around his waist and wrists, MS NOW said.
Allen is charged with attempting to assassinate President Trump on April 25, transporting a firearm between states, discharging a firearm during a violent act, and assaulting law enforcement. He is next scheduled to appear in court for a status conference on June 29.
McFadden said he hoped to have made “significant progress” on the discovery by then.
Mr. Allen’s defense attorneys filed a motion last week seeking the disbarment of Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro. Mr. Allen’s lawyer provided details of the allegations on Monday.
The defense argued in court that because Blanche and Pirro gave the impression that they were the victims in the incident, and because they were both present at the dinner party where the shooting took place, it was “totally inappropriate for the victims to prosecute.” Mr McFadden ordered further clarification on the matter.
Allen could face life in prison if convicted.
