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, of California, did not speak in court as his attorney Tezira Abe entered the plea on his behalf. The charges include attempted assassination of the president, assault on a federal officer and firearms offenses.
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 allegedly traveled to Washington by train, carrying a shotgun, pistol and knives, and booked a room in the Washington Hilton where the April 25 dinner took place.
Allen wore an orange jumpsuit and was shackled at the waist during the brief court proceeding. It was his first appearance in federal court in Washington before the judge who will preside over the remainder of the case, US District Judge Trevor McFadden. A different judge last week apologized to Allen for his treatment in a local Washington, D.C., jail, which included being placed on suicide precautions and isolated from other inmates.