Judge Criticizes Jail Conditions for Accused Trump Dinner Attacker, Apologizes to Him

A federal judge on Monday sharply criticized the treatment of Cole Allen, accused of attacking the White House Correspondents' Dinner, and apologized to the defendant for overly restrictive conditions at the D.C. jail.

Prosecutors charged Allen with attempting to assassinate the president and two firearm offenses. They said Allen, armed with a shotgun, ran through a security checkpoint one floor above the ballroom at the Washington Hilton during the April 25 dinner. President Trump, top administration officials and about 2,600 guests including press corps members attended.

Allen’s lawyers agreed he should stay jailed pending trial but objected to his treatment. They said jailers placed him on suicide watch soon after his arrival last week. That meant a padded cell, constant lights and no phone or tablet access. The next day, officials moved him to suicide precautions, which still limited phone use and time outside his cell.

On Friday, lawyers said a reassessment found no suicide risk, yet Allen remained in protective custody and held separately.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui questioned a D.C. Department of Corrections representative about the conditions. Allen’s lawyers alleged he was denied a Bible last week, his tablet was not set up and he could not meet them privately.

Faruqui told Allen he was "very troubled" by the "conditions you’ve been treated to" and apologized for problems in his first week of detention.

Tony Towns, the department’s acting general counsel, said officials would resolve the issues soon. He noted a tablet for court filings and legal materials would be ready shortly.

Towns said a psychiatrist deemed Allen a suicide risk, though the evaluation form was not in court records. Faruqui demanded to see it. Towns explained a separation order kept Allen apart from other inmates, including during Monday’s court trip.

"We don’t really know how to keep him safe, your honor, outside of separation," Towns said.

"That seems to be a problem then," Faruqui replied.

The judge expressed worry about lower-profile defendants and noted differences from many pardoned Jan. 6 defendants, who went to medium- or low-security prisons without full isolation.

"A lot of people seem to have forgotten January 6," Faruqui said. "Pardons may erase convictions, but they do not erase history."

While the charges against Allen "could not be more serious," Faruqui said, "I’m not understanding how we are where we are."

U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro criticized Faruqui afterward on X. She wrote that he believes an armed defendant who tried to assassinate the president deserves preferential confinement treatment over others.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jocelyn Ballantine, leading the prosecution, said Allen told FBI agents after the attack that he did not expect to live.

"It’s clear he did not expect to survive it, which gives rise to potential concern for suicide," Ballantine said.

Faruqui ordered the Department of Corrections to report by Tuesday morning on plans for Allen’s pretrial detention site. If no quick answer, he would hold another hearing for justification.

Towns said the placement process continues but an answer would come soon.

"DOC’s main concern is his safety as well as his health," Towns said. A prison housing board meeting would decide his location shortly.