Cole Tomas Allen, the 31-year-old California man accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, entered a not guilty plea to all four federal charges during his Monday arraignment in Washington, D.C.

Suspect Faces Multiple Federal Charges

Allen appeared in federal court wearing an orange jumpsuit, handcuffed and shackled with chains around his waist. Federal public defender Tezira Abe entered not guilty pleas on his behalf to all charges, including attempting to assassinate the president in connection with the April 25 incident at the Washington Hilton hotel. A federal grand jury added a new charge Tuesday for shooting a Secret Service agent during the attack.

Officials said Allen, who worked as a California teacher and engineer, sprinted through a security checkpoint armed with multiple firearms and knives. He exchanged gunfire with a Secret Service officer who shot at him multiple times. The officer, protected by a ballistic vest, sustained a chest wound but was treated and released from the hospital. Allen was not hit during the exchange. Trump and Cabinet members were quickly evacuated as attendees dove under tables for cover.

Evidence Points To Planned Attack

Moments before the assault, Allen sent family members a note apologizing and criticizing Trump without naming him directly, according to transcripts obtained by NBC News. He wrote that administration officials were targets, excluding one specific individual. Prosecutors presented evidence that Allen photographed himself in his hotel room wearing the same ammunition-filled leather bag, shoulder holster, knife, pliers and wire cutters recovered after his arrest.

Law enforcement believes Allen traveled by train from California to Washington before checking into the hotel. Records show he purchased a Maverick 12-gauge shotgun in August 2025 and an Armscor Precision .38 semiautomatic pistol in October 2023. His sister told investigators Allen made radical comments about fixing the world, but their parents were unaware he owned firearms or trained regularly at shooting ranges.

What Comes Next

Allen told FBI agents he did not expect to survive the incident, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jocelyn Ballantine revealed. He was briefly placed on suicide watch at the Washington, D.C. jail where he remains detained. His defense team plans to request recusal of the entire U.S. Attorney’s office for the District of Columbia due to U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro’s supervisory involvement in the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Jones said prosecutors will deliver their first discovery materials to the defense by week’s end. Allen’s next court appearance is scheduled for June 29.