Overview
- Cole Tomas Allen, 31, pleaded not guilty Monday in Washington federal court and remained jailed pending trial.
- Defense lawyers asked Judge Trevor McFadden to disqualify Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and D.C. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, arguing their attendance at the dinner makes them potential victims or witnesses.
- The court set near‑term steps in the dispute, with prosecutors due to respond by May 22 and a status hearing scheduled for June 29.
- Prosecutors say Allen rushed a Washington Hilton checkpoint on April 25, fired a shotgun that struck a Secret Service agent’s ballistic vest, and arrived from California with a shotgun, a pistol, knives, and writings about targeting officials.
- A judge last week faulted Allen’s jail treatment after reports he was placed on suicide precautions in a padded cell with constant lighting and repeated strip searches.