‘I’m sorry’ – Judge apologizes to wannabe Trump assassin

Federal judge says jail conditions were too harsh for Cole Allen, who was arrested for allegedly attempting to murder President Donald Trump.

By World Israel News Staff

A federal judge overseeing an emergency hearing for a man accused of attempting to assassinate Trump administration officials issued an apology to the defendant while sharply criticizing prosecutors over the conditions of his confinement.

Cole Allen, 31, stormed the White House Correspondents’ Dinner while heavily armed.

Minutes before the incident, Allen reportedly sent his friends and family a manifesto outlining his justification for planning to kill President Donald Trump and other senior officials.

Allen has been held on suicide watch in a special “safe cell” since his arrest after reportedly telling investigators he did not expect to survive the planned attack.

During an emergency hearing on Monday, Allen’s lawyers argued before Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui that their client’s conditions amounted to unfair and punitive treatment.

Faruqui appeared to agree, expressing concern over Allen’s detention.

“To me, it’s extremely disturbing that he was put in five-point restraints — a person with no criminal history. It’s troubling,” the judge said.

Faruqui compared Allen’s treatment and that of defendants arrested in connection with the January 6 Capitol riot.

“I’ve never heard of a single Jan. 6 defendant being placed in five-point restraints or held in a safe cell,” he said.

Dozens of individuals involved in the January 6 events were later identified, arrested, and prosecuted by federal authorities, with some receiving multi-year prison sentences.

One woman present at the Capitol riots, Air Force veteran Ashli Babbitt, was shot dead by police, whereas Trump’s would-be assassin was not physically harmed during his arrest.

“What am I to say to Mr. Allen about this being a fair process if we’re placing him in a safe cell when he’s not supposed to be there?” Faruqi asked.

“At a minimum, I should be apologizing to him. We are obligated to make sure he is taken care of. Mr. Allen, I’m sorry that things have not been the way they are supposed to be.”

The judge added that he expects a prompt update from Department of Corrections officials and ruled that Allen’s conditions should be improved.