Suspect in Trump Assassination Attempt Pleads Not Guilty in DC Court

A man accused of trying to kill President Donald Trump on April 25 at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner pleaded not guilty Monday morning in a Washington, D.C., federal court to four related charges.

Cole Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, entered the plea to attempting to assassinate the president of the United States, discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence, transporting a firearm across state lines, and assaulting a federal officer with a deadly weapon.

More charges are possible, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said.

Allen's defense attorneys want Pirro and her office removed from the case. They cited a conflict of interest because Pirro was a victim of their client's alleged crime, according to a court filing Friday. They also pointed to Pirro's personal friendship with Trump.

"As this case proceeds closer to trial, the country and the world will continue to wonder—how can the American justice system permit a victim to prosecute a criminal defendant in a case involving them?" the motion asks. "Or even—how can one of the victim’s closest friends prosecute the alleged perpetrator of the offense? Given U.S. Attorney Pirro’s friendship with the President and her and Acting A.G. Blanche’s attendance at the event at the center of this prosecution, the law necessitates their disqualification."

Eugene Ohm, Allen's public defender, told Judge Trevor McFadden on Monday that the defense likely would ask for Pirro's entire office to be taken off the case.

Ohm said it was unlikely they would seek to remove the entire Department of Justice in connection with the request involving Blanche.

"That would be quite a request," McFadden said.