DOJ disqualification request denied in Trump White House Correspondents dinner case

A US federal judge has refused to remove two senior Justice Department officials from overseeing the case against Cole Tomas Allen. Allen has been charged over an alleged attempt to kill President Donald Trump. The incident was linked to the White House Correspondents Association dinner in April. The judge said the claimed conflicts did not meet legal standards.

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Cole Tomas Allen had asked the court to disqualify Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and District of Columbia US Attorney Jeanine Pirro. Allen said both officials attended the April dinner. Allen also pointed to Pirro’s personal ties with President Donald Trump. Allen argued these links could affect how the prosecution was supervised.

Justice Department officials and disqualification request

US District Judge Trevor McFadden rejected Allen’s request on Monday. McFadden wrote that the dinner attendance did not justify removing either official. McFadden also said Pirro’s relationship with the president was not enough. The ruling stated the situation did not create a valid conflict of interest.

McFadden said Allen is not accused of targeting Blanche or Pirro. The judge added there is no evidence Allen knew they would attend. McFadden wrote they are unlikely to be trial witnesses. The judge also said they do not meet the legal definition of victims. McFadden was nominated to the bench by Trump.

Attempted assassination charge and alleged attack details

Prosecutors have accused Allen of trying to breach a security checkpoint while carrying guns and knives. Allen has pleaded not guilty to several charges. These include assaulting a federal official with a deadly weapon. The charges also include attempted assassination of the president. If convicted on that count alone, Allen faces life in prison.

Allen is also accused of firing a shotgun at a Secret Service agent during the attack. The incident disrupted the dinner and led to an early end. The event is among the most high-profile annual gatherings in Washington. The agent was hit once in a bullet-resistant vest. The agent fired five shots and did not hit anyone.

Authorities said Allen, from Torrance, California, was injured during the incident. Reports said Allen was not shot. The ruling means Blanche and Pirro can continue supervising the prosecution. The case remains active, with Allen maintaining a not guilty plea. The judge’s decision addressed only disqualification, not the merits of the charges.

With inputs from PTI