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A federal courtroom confrontation over jail conditions for a man accused of opening fire near one of Washington’s most high-profile political events escalated into a sharp rebuke Monday, as a magistrate judge compared his treatment to that of January 6 Capitol riot defendants and accused jail officials of going too far.

The dispute centers on Cole Tomas Allen, who is being held pretrial in Washington, DC, after allegedly rushing through a security checkpoint armed with a shotgun during the April 26 White House Correspondents’ Dinner, an event attended by the president and senior administration officials. Allen faces multiple charges, including attempting to assassinate Trump.

His attorneys say his treatment inside the DC jail has crossed a line, arguing in court filings that Allen was unfairly placed on suicide watch and held in restrictive housing during his detention.

Court Hearing Turns Into Sharp Criticism of Jail Conditions

At Monday’s hearing, federal magistrate judge Zia M. Faruqui openly criticized the Department of Corrections, describing Allen’s alleged treatment as unusually severe.

Faruqui said he has handled dozens of cases involving defendants tied to the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack, and suggested Allen’s conditions appeared even harsher than those faced by many of those detainees.

“Pardons may erase convictions, but they do not erase history,” Faruqui said during Monday’s hearing, taking a shot at Trump’s mass pardon of those involved in the January 6 attack.

The judge, known for his focus on defendants’ civil rights, did not hold back in his assessment of Allen’s situation.

“He’s been treated differently than anyone I’ve ever observed,” the judge added.

Allen’s lawyers also allege he was placed in a five-point shackling system, further intensifying concerns raised in court about the conditions of his confinement.

Jail Officials Defend Suicide Watch Decision

A representative from the jail told the court that Allen was briefly placed on suicide watch following an initial medical evaluation. Officials said final housing decisions for Allen have not yet been made.

Allen, who is from California, had reportedly sent a note to family members around the time of the incident expressing opposition to the administration. In it, he thanked his loved ones and suggested he may not speak to them again, adding “unless the Secret Service is astoundingly incompetent.”

Judge Issues Personal Apology in Courtroom

As the hearing concluded, Faruqui took the unusual step of addressing Allen directly, expressing regret over his treatment while in custody and ordering the jail to notify the court once a housing decision is made.

“I’m sorry,” the judge told Allen. “Whatever you’ve been through, I apologize for that now.”

The judge also directed jail officials to provide Allen with a Bible he had requested, noting that one correctional officer had already shared scripture passages with him.

Political Backlash Erupts After Court Comments

Following the hearing, DC US Attorney Jeanine Pirro responded on social media, sharply criticizing the judge’s remarks and framing the case as a question of unequal treatment for a defendant accused of a serious assassination attempt.

“Welcome to Washington, DC, where U.S. Magistrate Judge Faruqui believes a defendant armed to the teeth and attempting to assassinate the president is entitled to preferential treatment in his confinement compared to every other defendant,” Pirro wrote.