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Cole Tomas Allen, accused of opening fire at the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington, D.C., has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Allen entered his plea on Monday (May 11) in D.C. federal court. The charges against him include attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump, assault on law enforcement, transporting a firearm across state lines to commit a felony, and discharging a weapon during a crime of violence.
According to BBC News, the 31-year-old from California allegedly rushed past security at the Washington Hilton hotel, where the event took place on April 26. Armed with a shotgun, Allen is accused of opening fire while running through a security checkpoint. A Secret Service officer was shot in his protective vest but survived.
Allen's legal team has requested the disqualification of top Justice Department officials from the case, citing a conflict of interest due to their presence at the dinner. The officials include U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, as reported by WBAL-TV.
The Reuters report highlights that Allen faces life imprisonment if convicted. The incident has sparked discussions about political violence in the U.S., with President Trump expressing satisfaction with the Secret Service's response and hinting at potential security protocol changes.