May 7, 2026 — Attorneys for Cole Allen, the man accused of opening fire near the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, filed a motion Thursday night asking a judge to disqualify U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro and acting Attorney General Todd Blanche from participating in the prosecution.
The defense argues Pirro and Blanche should be removed because they were present at the event and are therefore “purported victims and witnesses” in the case. The motion cites remarks by FBI Director Kash Patel at a press conference two days after the shooting, quoting him saying, “This one hits a little differently. We were all there.”
Allen, 31, is charged with attempting to assassinate President Trump, assaulting a federal officer with a deadly weapon, and two counts related to firearms. He has not yet entered a plea. Prosecutors have alleged Allen tried to target “high-ranking government officials,” language the defense says could encompass Blanche and Pirro.
The filing notes Pirro’s close ties to former President Trump and points to media comments in which she described being inside the ballroom during the incident, including a television interview in which she said she was “in that combat zone.” Defense lawyers cite Justice Department recusal rules that require employees to step aside when they have a conflict of interest or a personal relationship with people involved in a case.
“As this case proceeds closer to trial, the country and the world will continue to wonder—how can the American justice system permit a victim to prosecute a criminal defendant in a case involving them? Or even—how can one of the victim’s closest friends prosecute the alleged perpetrator of the offense?” the motion says.
CBS News has asked the Justice Department for comment.
According to prosecutors, Allen sprinted through a security checkpoint one floor above the correspondents’ dinner carrying a handgun, a shotgun and several knives. Authorities say he fired a shotgun at an officer, striking the officer’s protective vest; the officer returned fire five times without hitting Allen, who was then taken into custody.
Prosecutors also say Allen sent an email to family members the night of the dinner indicating he planned to target Trump administration officials in order of priority, “from highest-ranking to lowest.” The annual event included President Trump, many Cabinet members and other high-level federal officials.
The defense motion asks the court to remove Pirro and Blanche from the case on the basis that their roles as on-site officials and apparent personal connections create an impermissible conflict for Justice Department leaders handling the prosecution.