Maryland Man Charged with Attempted Murder of Trump Official

Colin Demarco allegedly tried to kill OMB Director Russell Vought over fears of a 'fascist takeover'

Feb. 5, 2026 at 9:15pm

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A 26-year-old Maryland man named Colin Demarco has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly trying to confront and potentially harm Trump administration official Russell Vought at his Virginia home. Authorities say Demarco was captured on a doorbell camera wearing a disguise and appearing to have a gun, and he had expressed online his desire to kill President Trump and prevent a 'fascist takeover'.

Why it matters

This case highlights growing concerns about political violence and extremism, with individuals taking matters into their own hands out of fear of perceived threats to democracy. It also raises questions about the role of mental health issues in politically-motivated crimes.

The details

According to the criminal complaint, Demarco was seen on a Ring doorbell camera at Vought's home in August 2026, wearing a disguise and appearing to have a gun. He had also researched Vought's home and firearms owned by a relative, and had discussed plans to kill Vought online. Demarco told authorities he went to Vought's home because he feared a 'fascist takeover' following Trump's 2024 reelection, which he described as the 'lowest point' of his life.

  • On August 10, 2026, Demarco was captured on a Ring doorbell camera at Vought's home.
  • Two weeks ago, Demarco was arrested and charged with attempted murder.

The players

Colin Demarco

A 26-year-old Maryland resident who has been charged with attempted murder of a Trump administration official.

Russell Vought

The former Director of the Office of Management and Budget under the Trump administration, who was the alleged target of Demarco's attempted attack.

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What they’re saying

“The more Trump does shit 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 DC and kill him.”

— Colin Demarco (Discord)

What’s next

Demarco is expected to appear in court in the coming weeks as the case proceeds.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the growing threat of political violence and the need for greater mental health resources and support to prevent such extremist actions, regardless of one's political views.