Suspect in alleged Trump assassination attempt pleads not guilty

WASHINGTON: The man accused of attempting to assassinate US President Donald Trump at a White House correspondents' gala last month entered a not guilty plea to all charges on Monday.

Cole Allen, 31, from California, did not address the court during the hearing. His lawyer, Tezira Abe, entered the plea on his behalf. The charges against him include attempted assassination of the president, assault on a federal officer and firearms offences.

Prosecutors have alleged that Allen fired a shotgun at a US Secret Service agent and forced his way through a security checkpoint in what authorities describe as a thwarted attack targeting Trump and other members of his administration at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.

According to prosecutors, Allen travelled to Washington by train while carrying a shotgun, a pistol and knives. They also allege that he reserved a room at the Washington Hilton, the venue where the April 25 dinner was held.

Allen appeared in court wearing an orange jumpsuit and restraints around his waist during the brief proceeding. It marked his first appearance in Washington federal court before US District Judge Trevor McFadden, who is set to oversee the rest of the case.

Defence plans challenge over prosecutors

The hearing also pointed to the next major legal dispute in the case. Allen is seeking to have acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and US Attorney Jeanine Pirro removed from the matter because both were present at the dinner and may have been among the alleged targets.

Allen's lawyer, Eugene Ohm, said the defence is also expected to ask for the recusal of the entire US Attorney's Office in Washington, which Pirro heads, citing her friendship with Trump and her status as a potential victim.

It is wholly inappropriate for victims of an alleged event like this to be individually prosecuting the case.

Ohm said.

Prosecutors are due to respond to the defence filing by May 22. Pirro had earlier told CNN in an interview that, "my ability to prosecute this case has nothing to do with my being there."

Earlier court developments

The case comes after another judge last week apologised to Allen over his treatment at a local jail in Washington, DC. That treatment included placing him on suicide precautions and keeping him separated from other inmates.

The latest court appearance was brief, but it formally set the stage for the next phase of proceedings in a case centred on an alleged attack at one of Washington's high-profile political gatherings.