Cole Allen pleads not guilty to attempted Trump assassination

Allen’s legal team challenges involvement of US Attorney Pirro, citing her friendship with Trump and role at the gala where shots were fired.The man accused of trying to assassinate United States ⁠President Donald Trump at a White House reporters gala last month has pleaded not guilty to all charges.Cole Allen, 31, of California did not speak in court as ⁠his attorney Tezira Abe entered the plea on his behalf. The charges include attempted assassination of the president, assault on a federal officer and firearms offences.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3US Secret Service shoots gunman near White Houselist 2 of 3‘Should be fired’: Why the Trumps want Jimmy Kimmel sackedlist 3 of 3Investigators say Trump assassination suspect shot officer at press galaend of listProsecutors alleged Allen fired a shotgun at a US Secret Service agent and stormed a security checkpoint in a foiled attack on Trump ‌and other members of his administration at the White House correspondents dinner.Allen’s lawyers asked US District Judge Trevor McFadden to disqualify at least two top Department of Justice officials from direct involvement in prosecuting him because they could be considered victims or witnesses in the case, creating a potential conflict of interest.Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and US Attorney Jeanine Pirro were attending the event when Allen ran through a security checkpoint and fired a shotgun at a Secret Service officer, authorities said. Defence attorney Eugene Ohm said the defence likely would seek to disqualify Pirro’s entire office from involvement in the case.McFadden didn’t rule from the bench on that question but asked Allen’s attorneys to elaborate on the possible scope of their recusal request.‘Wholly inappropriate’Allen allegedly travelled to Washington by train, carrying a shotgun, pistol and knives, and booked a room in the Washington-hilton" class="entity-link entity-location" data-entity-id="120765" data-entity-type="location">Washington Hilton, where the April 25 dinner took place.