Maryland Man Charged with Attempted Murder
A man from Maryland, who expressed concerns over a “fascist takeover” by President Trump, faces attempted murder charges after allegedly arriving at the residence of Russell Vought, the White House director of management and budget, armed with a gun.
Colin DeMarco, 26, was charged last month with several offenses, including attempted murder and carrying a concealed weapon. The charges arise from an incident on August 10, 2025, as reported by Arlington County Police.
Currently, he is being held without bail and has a court appearance scheduled for February 23.
Police responded to reports of a “suspicious person” near Vought’s home in Northern Virginia. A witness described seeing someone wearing a surgical mask and rubber gloves, carrying a backpack, and possibly hiding a firearm. This suspect approached the witness to inquire about the victim before leaving.
Home surveillance footage helped authorities identify DeMarco as the suspect. An OMB spokesperson expressed gratitude for law enforcement’s efforts to ensure the safety of Director Vought and his family.
The U.S. Marshals Service is investigating the incident. It’s reported that DeMarco had expressed admiration for Luigi Mangione, the individual accused of murdering United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, and had been upset about Trump’s 2024 election victory.
According to authorities, DeMarco admitted to traveling from Rockville, Maryland, to Vought’s home but denied having a gun or intent to harm. He supposedly wanted to confront Vought regarding Project 2025—a policy agenda Vought co-authored while at the Heritage Foundation.
DeMarco referred to Trump’s election night as a “low point” in his life, fearing “an impending war and a fascist takeover.” He reportedly made concerning posts on his iCloud and Discord accounts. In one message, he allegedly stated, “The more Trump doesn’t like this, the more I want to pick up a gun and shoot him.” Another message expressed a desire to travel to Washington, D.C., with harmful intentions.
Furthermore, his notes app reportedly contained titles like “Father’s Gun Stash” and “Body Disposal Guide.” The complaint notes that DeMarco experienced mental health issues following Trump’s election in November 2024 and previously sought help, expressing a desire to harm himself due to the election outcome.
