Man charged in correspondents' dinner attack pleads not guilty

Key Points:

• Cole Tomas Allen pleaded not guilty to charges of attempting to kill President Donald Trump and firing a shotgun at a Secret Service officer during the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner attack.
• Allen’s lawyers have requested the disqualification of top Justice Department officials Todd Blanche and Jeanine Pirro from prosecuting the case due to potential conflicts of interest, as both were present at the event and could be considered victims or witnesses.
• The attack on April 25 at the Washington Hilton involved Allen firing five shots, injuring one Secret Service officer who was wearing a bullet-resistant vest; Allen was injured but not shot.
• Allen faces charges including attempted assassination, assaulting a federal officer with a deadly weapon, and additional firearms counts, carrying a maximum life sentence if convicted on the attempted assassination charge.
• The court is reviewing the defense’s request for recusal and possible appointment of a special prosecutor, with prosecutors required to respond by May 22; Allen is scheduled to return to court on June 29.