Judge Apologizes to Trump Attempt Suspect Over Jail Conditions

A federal magistrate judge in Washington, D.C., apologized to Cole Tomas Allen, the man accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents Association dinner, during a court hearing over his jail conditions.

The remarks came Monday, May 4, 2026, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Zia M. Faruqui, who expressed grave concerns about Allen's treatment at the D.C. jail following his arrest on April 25. Allen, a 31-year-old from Torrance, California, allegedly rushed a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton hotel armed with a shotgun, handguns, knives and ammunition. Prosecutors say he fired the shotgun toward stairs leading to the ballroom, wounding a Secret Service agent in the bullet-resistant vest. The agent survived, as did Allen, who was subdued after an exchange of gunfire. No attendees, including the president, were harmed.

Allen faces federal charges of attempted assassination of the president, transporting a firearm and ammunition across state lines with intent to commit a felony, and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. If convicted, he could face life in prison. He has no prior criminal record and agreed to pretrial...