Lawyers for WHCD Attacker Seek To Disqualify Pirro, Blanche From Case

Cole Tomas Allen pleaded not guilty Monday to charges accusing him of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump after allegedly storming toward the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner armed with multiple weapons last month in Washington, D.C.

Federal prosecutors allege Allen approached the hotel hosting the high-profile political event carrying a shotgun and additional weapons while President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Cabinet officials, journalists, and senior government figures were gathered inside.

Authorities say the April 26 incident unfolded as Allen allegedly attempted to push through a security checkpoint one floor above where the dinner was taking place.

According to prosecutors, Allen, a 31-year-old teacher from Torrance, California, exchanged gunfire with Secret Service personnel after reaching the checkpoint area.

Court filings allege Allen fired a shot that struck a Secret Service agent’s bulletproof vest. Agents returned fire but reportedly did not hit Allen during the confrontation.

The incident triggered chaos inside the hotel as security personnel evacuated attendees following the sound of gunshots.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and Washington, D.C., U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro were both reportedly present at the dinner when the shooting occurred.

Allen’s defense attorneys are now seeking to remove Blanche and Pirro from involvement in the prosecution, arguing both officials have direct personal conflicts because they were allegedly potential victims during the attack.

According to defense filings, both prosecutors “heard gunshots” and were evacuated alongside other guests at the event.

“Both were potential victims and targets in what they have described as an attempted ‘mass shooting,’” Allen’s attorneys argued in court documents.

Pirro herself posted on X shortly after the incident, writing: “I’ve been taken out of the ballroom after the sounds of shots fired.”

Allen’s lawyers argue that Blanche and Pirro cannot objectively oversee the case because of their personal involvement and public comments surrounding the incident.

The filings claim their continued participation creates “grave concerns about whether they are making prosecutorial decisions as representatives of the government or as witnesses.”

Defense attorneys also pointed specifically to Pirro’s long public association with President Trump, arguing her personal relationship with the president further complicates the prosecution.

According to the defense, even if no formal legal conflict exists, the “appearance” of bias alone should require their removal from the case.

Pirro responded publicly to the motion in a statement.

“We will evaluate the motion and respond in court,” Pirro said.

“We will not tolerate people who come to the District of Columbia to engage in antidemocratic acts of political violence; and we will prosecute all such acts to the fullest extent of the law,” she added.

The case has already produced contentious courtroom exchanges surrounding Allen’s treatment while in federal custody.

Last week, federal Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui sharply criticized jail officials over Allen’s detention conditions, suggesting they may violate basic legal standards.

During the hearing, Faruqui told the court that Allen was effectively being held under near-constant lockdown conditions and suicide watch despite objections from defense attorneys who argued he posed no threat to himself.

The judge went further by apologizing directly to Allen over the conditions of his confinement.

Faruqui said the court has a responsibility to ensure pretrial detainees are held “in a responsible and safe way” and suggested that standard had not been met.

Pirro later criticized the judge’s comments publicly, arguing Faruqui appeared to believe Allen deserved “preferential treatment.”

Allen’s attorneys responded by accusing Pirro of making inflammatory and emotionally driven public remarks that further demonstrate her personal interest in the prosecution.

The attempted attack has intensified already growing concerns surrounding political violence targeting President Trump and senior government officials.

Federal authorities continue investigating whether Allen acted alone and whether additional charges may still be filed as prosecutors review evidence connected to the attempted attack.