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The man charged with attempting to kill President Donald Trump by storming a security checkpoint with loaded firearms and knives during last month’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Cole Tomas Allen appeared in federal court in Washington, DC, on Monday, shackled at the hands and feet, as his attorneys entered the not guilty plea on his behalf. He faces serious charges including attempting to assassinate the president and assaulting an officer.

Prosecutors allege that Allen charged through security at the hotel while Trump and senior administration officials were inside on a different floor.

During the hearing, Allen’s defense team aggressively pushed to have U.S. Attorney for DC Jeanine Pirro and other Trump administration officials recused from the case. They argued that because Pirro and others were present at the April 25 dinner — and could have been potential targets — they have a conflict of interest.

Defense attorney Eugene Ohm told the court that Pirro is “very close friends with Trump” and should be removed. He also suggested the entire U.S. Attorney’s Office in DC, as well as Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, should be disqualified.

Judge Trevor McFadden, a Trump appointee, appeared skeptical of the broad recusal request, noting that Pirro and others did not directly witness the incident.

“I’d be very surprised if they were victims in any legal sense,” McFadden remarked.

The judge ordered prosecutors to file a response on the recusal issue. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for June 29.

This case involves one of the most serious alleged assassination attempts against a sitting president in recent memory. The fact that the suspect allegedly made it past Secret Service with weapons during a high-profile event attended by the president and top officials raises disturbing questions about security protocols at major Washington gatherings.

Allen’s aggressive legal strategy — attempting to remove the lead prosecutors and potentially the entire U.S. Attorney’s Office — signals that his defense will be combative and focused on procedural challenges rather than just the facts of the case.

As the investigation and legal proceedings continue, the American public will be watching closely to see whether this was the act of a lone individual or part of a larger threat pattern. The outcome could have major implications for how future presidential events are secured.