The man accused of attempting to assassinate US President Donald Trump at a White House reporters’ gala last month pleaded not guilty to all charges on Monday.
Cole Allen, 31, did not speak in court as his lawyer entered the plea on his behalf. The charges include attempted assassination of the president, assault on a federal officer and firearms offences.
Prosecutors allege 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 wore an orange jumpsuit and was shackled at the waist during the brief proceeding. It was his first appearance in Washington federal court before the judge who will preside over the remainder of the case, US District Judge Trevor McFadden.
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The hearing came a week after a different judge apologised to Allen for his treatment in a local Washington DC jail, which included being placed on suicide precautions and isolated from other inmates.
The proceeding previewed the next major legal battle in the case, Allen’s attempt to have acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and US Attorney Jeanine Pirro disqualified from the case because they were present at the dinner and may have been among Allen’s alleged targets.
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Allen’s lawyer, Eugene Ohm, said the defence is likely to seek recusal of the entire US Attorney’s Office in Washington, which Pirro leads, because of her friendship with Trump and status as a potential victim.