Judge rejects bid to disqualify Blanche, Pirro in case over attempted Trump assassination

A federal judge on Monday rejected a bid to disqualify acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro from the case involving the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) dinner.

Cole Allen has pleaded not guilty in the case. He allegedly stormed the security checkpoint at the hotel hosting the event and discharging his weapon. He had sought to disqualify Pirro and Blanche from the case since they were present at the event in question.

"In line with longstanding precedent, the Court finds that neither the officials’ dinner attendance nor their statements after the fact demonstrate a conflict of interest. Nor does Pirro’s friendship with the President," wrote Judge Trevor McFadden.

The incident marked the third assassination attempt against Trump, after Thomas Matthew Crooks shot him at a Butler, Pa., rally and Ryan Routh attempted to ambush him on a Florida golf course.

Crooks was killed in the attempt while Routh was apprehended and later convicted.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent for Just the News. Follow him on X.