A California man accused of attempting to assassinate US President Donald Trump at a White House correspondents dinner has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Cole Allen, 31, entered no plea during a court appearance in Washington, DC, on Monday. His lawyer, Tezira Abe, entered the plea on his behalf.
Allen faces charges including attempted assassination of the president, assault on a federal officer and firearms offences.
Prosecutors alleged Allen fired a shotgun at a US Secret Service agent and forced his way through a security checkpoint during an attempted attack targeting Trump and members of his administration at the April 25 White House correspondents dinner.
Authorities said Allen travelled from California to Washington by train carrying a shotgun, pistol and knives before booking a room at the Washington Hilton, where the event took place.
Defence lawyers asked US District Judge Trevor McFadden to remove at least two senior Justice Department officials from the prosecution because they attended the dinner and could be considered victims or witnesses.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and US Attorney Jeanine Pirro were both present at the event when Allen allegedly breached security and opened fire, prosecutors said.
Allen’s lawyer, Eugene Ohm, argued that Pirro’s office should not handle the case because of her friendship with Trump and her presence at the dinner.
“It is wholly inappropriate for victims of an alleged event like this to be individually prosecuting the case,” Ohm said.
Judge McFadden did not immediately rule on the request but asked defence lawyers to clarify how broadly they wanted the recusal applied.
Allen appeared in court wearing an orange jumpsuit and waist restraints during what marked his first appearance before McFadden, who will oversee the case.
Last week, another judge apologised to Allen over his treatment at a Washington jail after he was placed under suicide precautions and isolated from other inmates.
Defence lawyers said Allen was confined in a padded room with constant lighting, repeatedly strip-searched and restrained outside his cell.
A Justice Department prosecutor said Allen allegedly told FBI agents he did not expect to survive the attack, which officials argued justified the suicide watch measures.
Allen is due back in court on June 29.
If convicted on the attempted assassination charge alone, he faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
