Allen appeared on Monday before U. S. District Judge Trevor McFadden, wearing an orange jail uniform and restrained at the waist. He did not address the court. His lawyer entered the plea on his behalf to four counts, including attempted assassination of the president, assaulting a federal officer with a deadly weapon, using a firearm during a crime of violence, and transporting a firearm and ammunition across state lines with intent to commit a felony.
The case centres on the April 25 attack at the Washington Hilton, where Trump, first lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Cabinet members, senior officials and journalists had gathered for one of Washington’s most closely watched annual events. Prosecutors say Allen ran through a Secret Service screening checkpoint on the hotel’s terrace level while armed with a shotgun, a pistol and knives, heading towards stairs that led to the ballroom where the president was present.
A Secret Service officer was struck once in a bullet-resistant vest after Allen allegedly fired a shotgun. The officer was not seriously injured. Another officer fired several rounds during the confrontation, but Allen was not hit by gunfire. He was injured during the incident and taken into custody near the screening area.
Federal prosecutors allege Allen had planned the attack in advance. Court filings say he reserved a room at the Washington Hilton on April 6 for a stay from April 24 to April 26, travelled by train from the Los Angeles area to Chicago and then to Washington, and checked into the hotel a day before the dinner. Investigators say he took a photograph of himself in his hotel room shortly before the attack while equipped with ammunition, a shoulder holster and a sheathed knife.
Authorities have also cited written material allegedly linked to Allen that referred to grievances against the Trump administration and described administration officials as targets. One message used the phrase “Friendly Federal Assassin”. Prosecutors argue the writings support their claim that the attack was politically motivated and aimed at the president and other senior officials, rather than hotel staff or guests.
Allen faces a possible life sentence if convicted on the attempted assassination charge alone. He remains in federal custody after waiving an earlier bid for release before trial. His next court appearance is scheduled for June 29.
Monday’s hearing also opened a separate legal fight over who should be allowed to prosecute the case. Allen’s lawyers have asked the court to disqualify Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and U. S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro from direct involvement, arguing that both attended the dinner and could be considered potential victims or witnesses. Defence lawyer Eugene Ohm told the court it would be inappropriate for possible victims of the alleged attack to make prosecutorial decisions in the matter.
McFadden did not rule immediately on the request. He directed prosecutors to respond by May 22 and asked for clarity on whether the government views Blanche and Pirro as victims. The defence has indicated it may seek to remove the entire U. S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia from the case, though a broader attempt to disqualify the Justice Department was acknowledged as unlikely.
The prosecution has framed the attack as a major act of political violence thwarted by fast action from law enforcement. Trump was removed from the stage by his security detail after the shooting and later appeared at the White House in formal dress to speak about the incident. He said investigators appeared to view Allen as a “lone wolf”.
Allen’s treatment after arrest has also drawn scrutiny in court. His lawyers complained that he had been placed on suicide watch, held in a padded room with constant lighting, repeatedly strip-searched and restrained outside his cell. Jail officials later removed him from suicide precautions. A prosecutor said Allen’s alleged statement that he did not expect to survive the attack was among the factors considered in assessing the risk.
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