A 26-year-old Maryland man has been arrested and charged with attempted murder and related offenses after allegedly plotting to kill Russ Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget in the Trump administration. Authorities say the suspect showed up at Vought’s home wearing gloves and a mask and later expressed fears of a “fascist takeover” following the 2024 election.

Arlington County Police identified the suspect as Colin Demarco of Rockville, Maryland, announcing his arrest Thursday after a months-long investigation tied to an August 10, 2025, incident. According to police, a witness spotted Demarco on Vought’s porch wearing rubber gloves and a surgical mask, appearing to conceal a firearm and carrying a backpack. After a brief interaction with the witness, Demarco fled the scene.

Investigators later identified Demarco through surveillance footage. A search warrant for his digital records revealed he had allegedly solicited others to kill Vought and searched online for directions to Vought’s home. Demarco was booked into jail on January 22, 2026, and faces charges including attempted murder, criminal solicitation to commit murder, carrying a concealed weapon, and wearing a mask in public to conceal his identity.

Court documents show Demarco blamed Vought for Project 2025 and expressed admiration for Luigi Mangione, who is charged with murdering UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson. Authorities say Demarco also sent messages threatening President Donald Trump, including: “The more Trump does s**t like this, the more I wanna grab a gun and try to shoot him… I am at my wits' end and this might be the final straw. I want to get a gun, head to D.C. and kill him.”

Police also recovered a note titled “Body Disposal Guide,” along with references to a firearm owned by Demarco’s father. Demarco reportedly claimed he was in the process of writing a manifesto.

Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-PA), the top Democrat on the House Budget Committee, condemned the alleged plot, saying, “Political violence is unacceptable and represents an attack not only on an individual, but on our democracy itself.”

Vought, who served as OMB director in both Trump administrations and is currently acting head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, has been a central architect of efforts to reduce the federal government’s footprint.