The arraignment of Cole Allen, accused of firing at President Donald Trump at an April 25 press gala, is scheduled Monday in Washington, D.C., at 9 a.m. Allen faces an indictment alleging attempted murder of the president, assaulting a federal officer with a deadly weapon, and related weapons charges. His defense has challenged detention conditions and moved to disqualify senior prosecutors who were present at the event, while prosecutors say they will pursue the case aggressively. The matter is assigned to U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden.
Man Accused of Firing at President Trump to Be Arraigned Monday; Defense Seeks Disqualification of Top Prosecutors
Accused would-be Trump assassin to be arraigned
The federal prosecution of Cole Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, moves forward Monday when he is formally arraigned in federal court in Washington, D.C., at 9 a.m. A grand jury has indicted Allen on charges that include attempting to kill the president, assaulting a federal officer with a deadly weapon, and multiple weapons offenses.
Allegations
Prosecutors allege Allen forced his way through a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton during an April 25 press gala attended by President Donald Trump and members of his Cabinet. Authorities say he fired a weapon and struck a Secret Service agent, who avoided serious injury after being protected by a bulletproof vest. Court documents also indicate Allen posed with weapons prior to the incident.
This courtroom sketch depicts Cole Tomas Allen, left, the California man arrested in the shooting incident at the correspondents dinner in Washington, seen appearing before Magistrate Judge Matthew J. Sharbaugh, in federal court, Monday, April 27, 2026 in Washington. (Dana Verkouteren via AP)
Court Proceedings And Defense Challenges
The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden. Allen's court-appointed defenders have already raised several procedural objections. Defense attorneys challenged the initial conditions of detention, arguing that restrictive suicide-prevention measures interfered with Allen's ability to communicate with counsel and participate meaningfully in his defense.
More recently, the defense filed a motion seeking to disqualify Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro from involvement in the prosecution, noting both were present at the event. In their filing, defense lawyers wrote that the officials "heard gunshots, which presumably forced them to duck below the tables with the rest of the occupants ... Shortly thereafter, they learned that law enforcement believed the target was certain administration officials."
Prosecutors' Response
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said prosecutors would pursue the case vigorously: "We will not tolerate people who come to the District of Columbia to engage in antidemocratic acts of political violence. We will prosecute all such acts to the fullest extent of the law."
Allen has already made initial appearances in court. The arraignment is the next formal step when he is expected to enter a plea.
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