Accused White House Dinner Gunman Pleads Not Guilty in Federal Court

The alleged gunman behind the terrifying April 25 shooting at the White House Correspondents’Dinner walked into federal court on Monday morning with a simple declaration: not guilty.

Cole Allen, a 31-year-old from California, faces charges that read like the plot of a political thriller — attempting to kill the president, assaulting a federal officer with a deadly weapon, and various weapons violations. But on May 11, his federal public defender entered a not guilty plea to all four counts, setting the stage for what will likely become one of the most closely watched trials in recent memory.

Here’s what allegedly went down: Allen traveled from California by train to Washington D.C., checked into the Washington Hilton Hotel, and showed up at the security checkpoint near the high-profile event dressed in black with a shoulder holster, knife, pliers, and wire cutters. Prosecutors say he rushed the checkpoint armed with multiple guns and ammunition. When confronted by a U.S. Secret Service officer, an exchange of gunfire erupted. The agent took a shot to the chest but survived, thanks to a ballistic vest. Allen wasn’t hit.

The chaos sent President Donald Trump, cabinet members, and lawmakers scrambling for the exits while attendees ducked under tables. It was the kind of moment that freezes a room — security protocols kicking in, fear spreading instantly through a room full of the nation’s most powerful people.

What makes this case particularly chilling is what investigators say they found. Allen allegedly sent a manifesto to family members before the attack, apologizing and describing Trump administration officials as“targets.”After his arrest, prosecutors claim he told the FBI he didn’t expect to survive the confrontation. He’s currently in a D.C. jail awaiting trial.

With a not guilty plea now on the record, the real legal battle begins. The evidence prosecutors say they have — from the weapons found on him to that manifesto — will be tested in court. Allen’s defense team now faces the difficult task of challenging charges tied to an incident that apparently happened in broad daylight with multiple witnesses.