Attorneys for Cole Allen, accused of shooting at the 2026 White House Correspondents’ Dinner, requested a judge Thursday to disqualify U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro and acting Attorney General Todd Blanche from his case due to their presence at the event and potential status as victims.
Allen faces charges including attempted assassination of President Donald Trump, assaulting a federal officer with a deadly weapon, and firearms offenses. His lawyers argue that Pirro and Blanche, who attended the dinner and were present during the shooting, have conflicts of interest that disqualify them from prosecuting the case.
The defense motion cites a press conference two days after the attack where FBI Director Kash Patel, also present at the event, stated, “This one hits a little differently. We were all there.” The filing emphasizes that both Pirro and Blanche are “purported victims and witnesses” and points to Pirro’s long-standing friendship with President Trump as further grounds for disqualification.
The lawyers highlighted statements Pirro made publicly describing her experience in the ballroom as being “in that combat zone,” as well as Justice Department policies requiring recusal from cases involving personal connections or direct involvement. They questioned the impartiality of prosecutors who might be considered victims or close to victims, writing, “how can the American justice system permit a victim to prosecute a criminal defendant in a case involving them?”
Allen, 31, allegedly breached a security checkpoint armed with a handgun, a shotgun, and knives. Authorities report he fired at an officer, striking the officer’s protective vest, before law enforcement returned fire and apprehended him. Prosecutors say Allen emailed family on the night of the event outlining plans to target Trump administration officials attending the dinner, ranking potential targets by seniority.
The annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner drew numerous high-ranking officials, including President Trump, Cabinet members, and other federal leaders, all of whom faced potential danger during the attack.
Why it matters
The defense’s motion raises important questions about prosecutorial impartiality when key Justice Department figures are directly involved in or impacted by the crime under investigation. If the court grants disqualification, prosecutors with no personal connection to the incident may be assigned to avoid conflicts of interest and ensure a fair trial.
Background
The White House Correspondents’ Dinner is a widely attended event featuring government officials, journalists, and celebrities. Security at the 2026 dinner was breached when Allen attempted a shooting attack reportedly targeting political leaders. The incident prompted a high-profile investigation involving senior Justice Department officials who were present during the attack.
Sources
This article is based on reporting and publicly available information from the following source:
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