Lawyers for Cole Allen, charged over an attack at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, are seeking to disqualify senior U.S. Justice Department officials from any direct role in prosecuting him. In filings cited by multiple outlets, Allen’s attorneys argue that Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro could be considered victims or witnesses because both were attending the event. The defense contends this creates an actual or at least an appearance of a conflict of interest as the case moves closer to trial.
According to reports, the incident took place on April 25 at the Washington Hilton, where Allen allegedly ran through a security checkpoint and fired a shotgun at a Secret Service officer. CBS reports that Allen pleaded not guilty to all charges on Monday, while other outlets describe the recusal/disqualification request as a separate procedural move aimed at removing the officials from prosecutorial decisions. The request also extends beyond Blanche and Pirro in at least some versions of the motion, including a push to prevent other U.S. attorneys in the Washington, D.C., office from handling aspects of the case. The outlets do not indicate a ruling yet.
