Trump assassination attempt, Allen indicted: he is charged with the attempted assassination of the president

Cole Tomas Allen, the 31-year-old man accused of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump during the White House Correspondents' Gala dinner on Saturday 25 April, has been formally indicted. This is reported by CNN. There are three charges: attempted murder of the president, transportation of a firearm and ammunition for criminal purposes and use of a weapon during a violent crime. But additional charges will be brought against him, D.C. District Attorney Janine Pirro announced at a press conference.

According to the indictment, Allen crossed state borders by travelling by train from California to Washington with his arsenal. The first count carries a life sentence, the second a sentence of up to 10 years, while the use of the weapon during the crime carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years to be served consecutively. Prosecutors called for the detention of the man, who is held responsible for arming himself and forcing security checks during the event.

Allen appeared before federal judge Matthew Sharbaugh in a brief hearing. Wearing a blue prison uniform, he appeared mostly motionless and he answered loudly and clearly with simple "yes" and "no" to questions about his past and his rights as a defendant. At one point he looked towards Jeanine Pirro, who was present in the courtroom but did not intervene. He stated that he had a master's degree in computer science, had not recently used drugs or alcohol, and asked to be assisted by court-appointed lawyers.

National Security Prosecutor Jocelyn Ballantine reconstructed the dynamics in the courtroom: 'He crossed state borders armed with a gun and arrived in Washington, where he attempted to assassinate the president'. Defence lawyers were also handed several photographs of the weapons that, according to the prosecution, the defendant brought with him to the capital.

The defence emphasised that Allen had no criminal record. The hearing to validate the arrest has been set for 30 April, while the judges will have to decide on the prosecution's request for remand in custody. At least ten federal agents were present in the courtroom.