A US judge on Monday apologized to the man accused of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump for the "legally deficient" treatment he has faced in a Washington DC jail, including being placed on suicide watch, separated from other inmates, and denied a Bible.
US Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui expressed deep concern during a court hearing regarding the conditions imposed on Cole Allen, who allegedly fired a shotgun during a foiled attack on Trump and senior administration officials at a press gala on April 25. The judge noted that such conditions were inappropriate for an individual with no prior criminal history.
"Whatever you've been through, I apologize," Faruqui stated, emphasizing his obligation to ensure that the 31-year-old from the Los Angeles area is "treated with the basic decency of a human being." Allen has agreed to remain detained in the local jail after his lawyers declined to contest prosecutors' arguments that he poses a danger. He faces charges of attempted assassination and firearms offenses, and has not yet entered a plea.
Details of Allen's Detention
Prosecutor Jocelyn Ballantine revealed that Allen told FBI agents after his arrest at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner that he did not expect to survive the alleged attack. Allen's lawyers raised concerns that he was placed on suicide watch despite showing no suicidal tendencies during a health evaluation, housed in a padded cell for 23 hours a day, and denied access to a Bible. Although Allen has since been removed from suicide watch, he remains in restrictive housing, a condition his lawyers do not oppose.
"Right now, it's not working. It's insufficient. I think it's legally deficient," Faruqui said of Allen's treatment in the jail. The judge stressed that while the allegations are "extremely serious," pre-trial detention is not intended to be punitive.
Comparison to January 6 Defendants
Faruqui drew a comparison between Allen's treatment and that of individuals involved in the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol, where Trump supporters attempted to prevent Congress from certifying Joe Biden's 2020 election victory. The judge noted that those defendants were treated more favorably despite engaging in what he described as comparable conduct.
"I'm fascinated and disturbed," Faruqui remarked. Many Capitol riot defendants, whom Trump has since pardoned, also objected to their treatment in the same Washington jail and were housed in a separate unit from other inmates.
The judge ordered a lawyer representing the jail to inform him by Tuesday morning regarding a final decision on the terms of Allen's confinement.
