A federal judge is facing mounting scrutiny after sharply criticizing the jail conditions of the man accused of trying to assassinate President Donald Trump.
During a tense Monday hearing, U.S. Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui took aim at corrections officials over their handling of Cole Allen — a 31-year-old accused of attempting to storm the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner and kill Trump along with other top officials.
Instead of focusing on the severity of the alleged plot, the judge zeroed in on Allen’s treatment behind bars, calling it “disturbing” and questioning whether restrictions had gone too far.
Allen has been held in federal custody under strict suicide watch protocols, which include 24-hour lockdown in a “safe cell,” no phone access, and no visitation outside his legal team.
His attorneys have also argued he was denied a tablet to assist in his defense and even blocked from obtaining a Bible despite repeated requests.
Prosecutor Jocelyn Ballantine defended the measures, noting Allen told investigators he did not expect to survive the alleged attack — a statement officials say raises clear concerns about self-harm.
But Faruqui appeared unconvinced.
“To me, it’s extremely disturbing that he was put in five-point restraints, a person with no criminal history,” the judge said, emphasizing that Allen is presumed innocent.
The judge went further, drawing comparisons to defendants charged in the January 6 United States Capitol attack — noting he had not seen similar levels of restriction used in those cases.
“I never heard of one Jan. 6 defendant who was put in five-point restraints or in a safe cell,” Faruqui said. “If the only way to keep him safe is the most punitive thing, that’s a problem.”
The comments are now fueling broader questions about priorities in one of the most serious criminal cases in the country — whether the focus should be on ensuring comfort for the accused, or addressing the gravity of an alleged attempt on a sitting president’s life.
🚨Listen to this — you are not going to believe it.
Federal Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui just turned the courtroom into a therapy session… for the man accused of trying to assassinate President Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner!
That’s right. Instead of hammering… pic.twitter.com/Q465lok5qG
— Commentary Donald J. Trump Posts From Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) May 4, 2026
