Cole Tomas Allen Pleads Not Guilty in Attempted Assassination of President Trump
Cole Tomas Allen, the man accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump during a White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) dinner, pleaded not guilty to all federal charges during a Monday arraignment in Washington, D.C. Allen, a 31-year-old California teacher and engineer, faces multiple felony counts stemming from an April 25 attack at the Washington Hilton Hotel.
- The Plea: Cole Tomas Allen pleaded not guilty to four federal counts, including attempted assassination of the president.
- The Incident: The attack occurred on April 25 at the Washington Hilton Hotel during the WHCA dinner.
- The Confrontation: Allen engaged in a gunfight with a U.S. Secret Service officer; the officer was shot once in the chest but survived.
- Legal Status: Allen is currently held at the D.C. Jail and is scheduled for a further court hearing on June 29.
The Federal Arraignment
Appearing before Judge Trevor McFadden at the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, Allen was brought into the courtroom handcuffed and shackled at the waist. Federal public defender Tezira Abe formally entered the plea, stating that her client “pleads not guilty to all four counts as charged,” which include the attempt to assassinate the president.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Jones informed the court that the government expects to begin providing the first tranche of discovery evidence to the defense by the end of the week.
Details of the April 25 Attack
The incident unfolded when Allen allegedly sprinted through a security checkpoint near the ballroom of the Washington Hilton, where President Trump, members of his Cabinet, and congressional leaders had gathered with journalists. Officials report that Allen was heavily armed with multiple firearms, and knives.
The Security Breach and Gunfight
The attempt ended after a violent exchange of gunfire with a U.S. Secret Service officer. The officer, who was protected by a ballistic vest, was shot once in the chest. He received hospital treatment and has since been released. Allen was not shot during the encounter and was taken into custody shortly after. The attack prompted an immediate evacuation of the president and top administration officials from the room.
Evidence and Motive
Prosecutors have presented several pieces of evidence suggesting premeditation:
- Written Communications: Moments before the attack, Allen sent a note to family members apologizing and criticizing the president. He also identified “administration officials (not including Mr. Patel)” as “targets.”
- Digital Evidence: A selfie taken by Allen in his hotel room showed him wearing a shoulder holster and carrying a little leather bag, which prosecutors say is consistent with the ammunition-filled bag recovered from him.
- Weaponry: Records indicate Allen purchased a Maverick 12-gauge shotgun in August 2025 and an Armscor Precision .38 semi-automatic pistol in October 2023.
- Travel: Investigators believe Allen traveled by train from California to Washington, D.C., prior to checking into the hotel.
Allen’s sister, Avriana Allen, told law enforcement that her brother frequently made radical comments and spoke of a “plan to fix the world,” though she noted their parents were unaware of his firearms or his regular training at shooting ranges.
Legal Challenges and Next Steps
Following his arrest, Allen told the FBI that he did not expect to survive the incident, leading officials to place him on brief suicide watch at the D.C. Jail.
The defense team, including federal public defender Eugene Ohm, has indicated they intend to seek the recusal of the entire office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. This request stems from the apparent supervisory role of U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro in the case. The defense stated that upcoming discovery evidence will further inform this decision.
Cole Tomas Allen is expected to return to court for a scheduled hearing on June 29.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the specific charges against Cole Tomas Allen?
Allen is charged with attempting to assassinate the president, transporting a firearm and ammunition through interstate commerce with the intent to commit a felony, discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence, and assault on law enforcement.
Who was injured during the attack?
A U.S. Secret Service officer was shot once in the chest. Due to the use of a ballistic vest, the officer’s injuries were non-fatal, and he was released from the hospital.
Where is Cole Tomas Allen being held?
Allen is currently being held at the D.C. Jail.