Fair warning: This story is going to make you angry. Well, okay, super angry. You might even question if it’s real, but I assure you it is.
Cole Allen, the man accused of attempting to assassinate a presidential candidate, is currently navigating the American criminal justice system. On Monday, he appeared in court before Magistrate Judge Zia M. Faruqui, who recently apologized to the accused gunman regarding the unpleasant conditions of, you know, being behind bars and all that.
Again, no, I’m not kidding and yes, this story is real. Here’s more from Fox News Chief White House Correspondent Mike Emanuel:
? JUST IN: Judge Zia Faruqui has just APOLOGIZED to the man who tried killing President Trump in court, Cole Allen
Remove this judge NOW!
“The judge is concerned about the treatment he’s gotten.”
KUDLOW: “The judge APOLOGIZED to this guy, who would’ve SPRAYED the whole… pic.twitter.com/jET1zJFxQZ
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) May 4, 2026
Judge Zia Faruqui apologized to suspect Cole Allen for the treatment he’s received so far while he has been behind bars. He’s been put on suicide watch by the Department of Corrections, and the judge was asking why. An attorney from the government said that he was put on suicide watch because he told FBI agents that night of the White House Correspondents’ dinner attack that he didn’t expect to survive, and his language suggested that he really was not expecting to survive his trip to Washington, D.C., and the ultimate incident where he allegedly showed up with a weapon to try and assassinate President Trump. He’s been charged with that crime.
But the judge, very concerned about his constitutional rights, saying the defendant has requested a Bible, has requested meetings with his legal team, and that has not been allowed, he’s been put in restrictive, 24 hour lockup, with no windows and a padded room without an opportunity to get out for recreation. So the judge making it clear that he wants answers by tomorrow morning about exactly what the housing determination will be made for the suspect in this case, out of grave concern about his constitutional rights. And that apology issued near the end of the hearing. And so, quite a moment just moments ago in federal court.
Bottom line: Department of Correction said they wanted to make sure that he survived, that this is a high-profile case. All involved acknowledged it was a high-profile case. Again, the judge concerned about the treatment he’s gotten since he was arrested after the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting incident. Sandra, back to you.
The response by former Trump admin economist and Fox Business host Larry Kudlow was, um, animated:
It comes in mens and womens and lets your friends know you're happy to express your views and don't care what anyone thinks! Cheers!
The judge apologized to this guy, who’s a killer? Who if he had gotten another couple of yards, would’ve sprayed the whole audience, in the correspondent’s dinner? Just sprayed them, and killed God knows how many people? Then would’ve taken a shot over the whole audience at the president? We’re apologizing to this guy?! I don’t get that!
Yes, I know. Everyone is entitled to a presumption of innocence. The Constitution’s provisions apply, and all that. Got it. But come on. An apology? Seriously? This is likely a precursor as to how this judge is going to handle the case, so I’m going to go out on a limb here and predict this won’t be the last outrageous thing he does.
