Federal Judge Keeps Blanche and Pirro on White House Correspondents Dinner Shooting Case. Two New Defendants Charged in Separate UFC Attack Plot.

Since Cole Tomas Allen's April 25 attack at the Washington Hilton disrupted the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner, his case has moved through arraignment, a detention hearing, and now a significant pretrial ruling — all within two months.

Judge McFadden Keeps Top Prosecutors on the Allen Case

U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden issued an 18-page opinion Monday rejecting Allen's defense team's motion to disqualify Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro from the prosecution. Both officials were present at the dinner when Allen allegedly ran through a security checkpoint and fired a shotgun at a Secret Service officer.

McFadden wrote that Blanche and Pirro "are unlikely to be trial witnesses, nor do they meet the legal definition of victims," according to The Daily Wire. He added that their statements about the investigation and personal connections to the president "present no basis for screening them from the case."

The defense argument was not frivolous. Eugene Ohm, one of Allen's attorneys, argued that having prosecutors who were physically present during the alleged crime creates at least the appearance of a conflict of interest. Blanche and Pirro could be making decisions as potential witnesses rather than as neutral representatives of the government. The defense had also floated the idea of appointing a special prosecutor, according to PBS reporting. McFadden heard the argument and rejected it on legal grounds, finding the standard for disqualification simply wasn't met.

Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, is charged with four federal counts: attempting to assassinate the president, assaulting a federal officer with a deadly weapon, transporting a firearm, and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. He faces life in prison on the assassination attempt count alone. He pleaded not guilty at arraignment and did not speak during that appearance, according to PBS.

A Secret Service officer was shot once in a bullet-resistant vest during the attack but was not seriously injured. The officer fired five shots in response. Allen was injured but not shot, according to court records cited by PBS and CBC.

Prosecutors released hotel security footage in late April showing Allen rushing through a magnetometer. U.S. Attorney Pirro posted the edited video on social media, saying it shows Allen pointing his weapon at the agent. As CBC reported, the video raised questions about initial claims regarding who fired the shot that struck the officer. Pirro stated the footage shows no evidence of friendly fire, though the precise moment of Allen's weapon discharging was not clearly visible in the clip.

Allen's next scheduled court appearance is June 29, according to PBS.

Two More Defendants in the UFC Attack Plot

In a separate but equally serious matter, the Department of Justice unsealed charges against two additional defendants tied to the alleged plot targeting the UFC Freedom 250 event in Washington, D.C., on June 14.

Jordan W. Rincker, 28, of St. Joseph, Missouri, was arrested Sunday, June 21. He is charged by criminal complaint in the Western District of Missouri with conspiracy to commit murder. Prosecutors allege Rincker helped fund and facilitate the operation, according to Fox News.

William Lee Spartacus Falkner, of Washington state, is charged in connection with the drone component of the alleged attack. Prosecutors say Falkner joined a Telegram channel dedicated to drone operations on June 7 and communicated with other alleged conspirators about drone procurement, anti-jamming measures, fiber optic controls, and explosive payloads. Court records allege he claimed he could obtain drones capable of carrying heavy explosive loads and argued that "the more drones the better," according to Fox News.

The alleged plan, as described by FBI officials in prior reporting, involved explosive-laden drones triggering a mass evacuation, with fleeing crowds directed toward prepositioned shooters. A "second wave" was allegedly intended to target the White House gate. Five suspects had already been charged before Rincker and Falkner were added, bringing the total number of publicly identified defendants to seven.

Fox News also reported that investigators are examining whether members of the alleged conspiracy discussed a potential future attack targeting a FIFA World Cup match scheduled for July 3 in Kansas City, Missouri. An unsealed affidavit cites messages attributed to alleged ringleader Abraham Hermosillo on this subject, though it is described as a subject under examination, not a confirmed separate plot.

What Remains Open

On the Allen case, the legal calendar offers a near-term marker. The June 29 court date will indicate whether pretrial motions continue to multiply or whether the case moves toward a trial schedule. McFadden's ruling on the disqualification motion is a win for prosecutors, but Allen's defense has shown it will litigate aggressively at every stage.

On the UFC plot, the unsealed affidavit's reference to the July 3 Kansas City World Cup match as a possible additional target remains the most consequential unresolved question. The FBI has not announced charges related to that event, and court records do not clarify whether investigators consider that threat active, historical, or speculative based on the messages examined.