A federal judge has expressed strong concerns regarding the treatment of Cole Allen, a man accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump. Allen, 31, has been in federal custody since his arrest for allegedly attempting to access the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner ballroom with the intention of killing Trump and other high-level government officials.
Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui took issue with the harsh conditions under which Allen has been held, including restrictive confinement and the denial of basic rights, leading to a courtroom apology from the judge for the way Allen has been treated.
Suicide Watch and Conditions of Confinement
Upon entering custody, Allen was placed on suicide watch. This protocol required him to remain in a 24-hour lockdown in a “safe cell” and prohibited him from using a phone or receiving visits, except from his legal team. Despite his lawyers’ requests for a tablet to assist in his legal defense, the jail reportedly denied it.
Allen’s lawyers also stated that he was denied a copy of the Bible, even though he had made multiple requests. Prosecutor Jocelyn Ballantine argued that because Allen allegedly expressed an intention not to survive the attempted attack, he could pose a danger to himself.
However, Judge Faruqui dismissed this reasoning, questioning why Allen would be treated so severely compared to other detainees.
Judge’s Strong Reactions and Apology
Judge Faruqui expressed shock at the treatment Allen was receiving, calling it “extremely disturbing.” He emphasized that Allen has no criminal history and yet was placed under severe restrictions, including five-point restraints, a form of confinement usually reserved for high-risk detainees.
Faruqui compared Allen’s situation to those who were arrested during the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot, noting that even those defendants were not subjected to such extreme conditions.
“I never heard of one January 6 defendant who was put in five-point restraints or in a safe cell,” Faruqui said. “If the only way to keep him safe is the most punitive thing, that’s a problem.”
He also noted that even those arrested in the January 6 riots were placed in less restrictive environments like the Correctional Treatment Facility (CTF).
Judge Faruqui went on to personally address Allen, apologizing for the conditions he was facing and stating, “What am I to say to Allen that this is going to be a fair process if we’re putting him in a safe cell when he’s not supposed to be in there? At a minimum, I should be apologizing to him.”
Immediate Action Taken
The judge ordered that by the next morning, the Department of Corrections (DOC) update him on Allen’s housing situation, directing them to consider placing him in a medium-security part of the jail, which would provide access to windows.
He also instructed the DOC to provide Allen with a Bible and to ensure that he was not kept in five-point restraints.
Furthermore, Judge Faruqui advised Allen’s legal team to request legal visits and not accept poor conditions as acceptable.
Withdrawal of Motion and Continued Hearings
Allen’s attorneys had filed a motion to remove him from suicide precautions due to concerns over his treatment in solitary confinement. However, they withdrew the motion after learning that Allen was no longer under suicide watch.
Despite this, Judge Faruqui moved forward with an emergency hearing to address concerns about the solitary confinement and conditions of Allen’s confinement.
A representative from the Department of Corrections and both the prosecution and defense were ordered to appear at a hearing on May 4, 2026, to explain the conditions of Allen’s imprisonment.
Allen, who declined his right to a pre-trial detention hearing on April 30, 2026, remains in custody and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on May 11.
The federal judge’s response highlights significant concerns regarding the conditions of confinement for Cole Allen, the alleged would-be assassin of President Trump.
Despite the seriousness of his charges, the judge emphasized the need for fair treatment and due process, urging that the restrictive and punitive measures imposed on Allen be reconsidered. The case will continue to unfold, with more hearings expected in the coming weeks.
