Cole Allen, the 31-year-old alleged perpetrator who attempted to assassinate President Donald Trump and other White House Cabinet officials, was arraigned on Monday in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.
The hearing was quick, and Allen was charged with three counts:
- Attempt to assassinate the President of the United States (faces up to life imprisonment)
- Transporting a firearm across state lines (up to 10 years and a $250,000 fine)
- Discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence (a mandatory minimum of 10 years)
During a brief preliminary hearing in the case, Magistrate Judge Matthew Sharbaugh discussed the charges with Allen, as well as his rights as a criminal defendant. Allen accepted the services of two veteran public defenders, Tezira Abe and Eugene Ohm.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro attended the hearing, along with the case’s lead prosecutors Jocelyn Ballantine and Charles Jones. They asked Sharbaugh to keep Allen detained through Thursday, when a hearing on his longer-term detention will take place before Magistrate Judge Moxila Upadhyaya — who once presided over Trump’s own criminal arraignment in the 2020 election case.
“We are asking the court to preventatively detain Mr. Allen,” Ballantine said. “He has been charged with a federal crime of terrorism.”
Ballantine told the judge that Allen carried a 12-gauge, pump-action shotgun, a .38 caliber semi-automatic pistol, three knives and “other dangerous paraphernalia.” The charge that Allen discharged his firearm is the government’s first assertion that he used his weapon during his charge on law enforcement.
Allen's defenders are interesting. In 2025, both Eugene Ohm and Tezira Abe defended a woman accused of assaulting an FBI officer during an ICE apprehension. Abe characterized the ICE officers and FBI agents as a “goon squad” that thinks they are above the law.
Read More: What We Know Now: Suspect Mailed Manifesto to Family Just Before WHCD Attack
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As RedState reported, on Saturday, Allen was apprehended by the U.S. Secret Service when he attempted to rush a security perimeter with the goal of entering the Washington Hilton Hotel ballroom to do harm to President Donald Trump and Trump officials. This information was revealed from a manifesto Allen left in his hotel room and also sent to his family. Allen fired on a Secret Service agent, who was saved by his vest. Allen was taken down, alive, and taken into custody. Allen had traveled across the country, from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. via Amtrak, and carried a shotgun, a handgun, and knives on this trip.
A Department of Justice press conference on the WHCD shooter was held soon after the Monday arraignment of Allen. U.S. District Attorney Jeanine Pirro said that even though three charges had been brought currently, this did not preclude the possibility that more charges against Allen could be filed.
This is a developing story. RedState will provide updates as warranted.
Editor’s Note: The American people overwhelmingly support President Trump’s law and order agenda.
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