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Defense Seeks Pirro’s Removal From Correspondents’ Dinner Shooting Case

A DHS intelligence note says Iran-war anger may have played a role in the April 25 attack.

Overview

  • Cole Allen’s lawyers filed a motion Thursday night to disqualify U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro and acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, arguing both were at the dinner and could be witnesses or victims.
  • A federal grand jury indicted Allen on four counts, and prosecutors added assault on a federal officer after forensics found a buckshot pellet intertwined with a Secret Service agent’s ballistic vest.
  • A DHS “Critical Incident Note” dated April 27, obtained via public-records requests, says the U.S.-Iran conflict may have contributed to Allen’s decision, citing his posts criticizing U.S. actions in the war.
  • Investigators say Allen sent relatives a manifesto minutes before the shooting that railed at the administration, and the FBI is reviewing his social media to trace his motive.
  • Prosecutors say Allen planned for weeks and on April 25 ran through a Washington Hilton checkpoint, fired a shotgun once, struck an agent’s vest, and was subdued; he remains jailed with a May 11 court date.