Suspected Donald Trump gunman pleads not guilty to all charges

How GB News broke the story about the assassination on Donald Trump

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GB NEWS

Ed Griffiths

By Ed Griffiths


Published: 11/05/2026

- 14:34

Updated: 11/05/2026

- 15:03

The accused has consented to remain in custody

The suspect in the Donald Trump attempted assassination has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Cole Allen is accused of trying to kill the US President at the White House Correspondents' Dinner last month.


The 31-year-old did not speak in court.

His attorney entered the plea on his behalf.

The charges include attempted assassination of the president, assault on a federal officer with a deadly weapon and two firearms offences.

Prosecutors allege Allen fired a shotgun at a US Secret Service agent.

He also told the court that the suspect stormed a security checkpoint in a foiled attack on Mr Trump and other members of his administration at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.

The accused has consented to remain in custody after his defence chose not to challenge prosecutors' assertions that he represents a danger.

Cole Thomas Allen

The suspect in the Donald Trump attempted assassination has pleaded not guilty to all charges

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REUTERS

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

The hearing came a week after a different judge apologised to Allen for his treatment in a local Washington, DC jail.

Allen was placed on suicide precautions and isolated from other inmates.

Cole Tomas AllenJudge Zia Faruqui told Cole Allen during a hearing in Washington on Monday: 'Whatever you've been through, I apologise' | REUTERS

Judge Zia Faruqui told Cole Allen during a hearing in Washington on Monday: "Whatever you've been through, I apologise."

The judge voiced "grave concerns" regarding Allen's incarceration, arguing he had a duty to ensure the accused was "treated with the basic decency of a human being".

Judge Faruqui drew a pointed comparison with those who attacked the US Capitol on January 6 2021.

He suggested Allen had received harsher treatment than the rioters despite facing comparable allegations.

Cole Tomas AllenAllen faces charges including attempting to assassinate the president, transporting firearms and ammunition across state lines, and discharging a weapon during a violent crime | REUTERS

The former tutor is confined to a padded cell in a Washington jail where lights remain on constantly, and he must wear a restrictive vest described as similar to a straitjacket.

His movements are severely limited, with departures from the cell permitted only for legal or medical appointments.

Each time Allen leaves or returns, he is subjected to a strip search.

His lawyers argue that he is also barred from bringing legal documents into his cell, a restriction they say hampers his capacity to participate in preparing his own defence.