Man accused of attempting to assassinate Trump pleads not guilty

The charges include attempted assassination ​of the president, assault on federal officer and firearms offences

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. Thecharges 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. stormed a security checkpoint ​in a foiled attack on Trump and other members of his administration at theWhite House ​Correspondents' Dinner.

Allen allegedly travelled to Washington by train, carrying a shotgun, pistol. knives, and booked a room in the Washington Hilton where the April 25 dinner took place.

Read More:Man charged with attempting to assassinate Trump

Allen wore an orange jumpsuit and was shackled ​at the waist during the brief court 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.

A ‌different judge last ⁠week apologised to Allen for his treatment in a local Washington, DC, jail, which included being placed on suicide precautions. 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. US Attorney ​Jeanine Pirro disqualified from ​the case because they ⁠were present at the dinner and may have been among Allen's alleged targets.

Allen's lawyer, Eugene Ohm, said the defence was likely to seek ​recusal of the entire US Attorney's Office in Washington, which Pirro ​leads, because of ⁠her friendship with Trump. status as a potential victim.

Also Read:Trump was likely target of White House correspondents' dinner shooting, says US official

"It is wholly inappropriate for victims of an alleged event like this to be individually prosecuting the case," Ohm said.

Prosecutors are set to ⁠respond ​to the defence's legal filing by May 22. Pirro previously ​toldCNNin an interview that "my ability to prosecute this case has nothing to do with my being there."

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