Left: Donald Trump speaks at the annual Road to Majority conference in Washington, DC, in June 2024 (Allison Bailey/NurPhoto via AP). Right: Daniel Swain (North Carolina Bureau of Investigation).
In a startling revelation, a recently unsealed criminal complaint has exposed the plot of a U.S. Army veteran who allegedly aimed to assassinate President Donald Trump. Federal prosecutors allege that Daniel Swain, 41, embarked on a journey from South Carolina to Washington, D.C., with his vehicle adorned in ominous messages.
Prosecutors state that Swain inscribed his intentions explicitly on his car windows. According to the complaint, the driver’s side window bore the chilling message, “HEADED TO WSH TO KILL THE PRES,” while the rear window featured the phrase “TELL DONALD HE IS FIRED,” accompanied by the term “double tap,” a reference to ensuring fatality with two gunshots.
Swain’s alarming journey was intercepted by police in North Carolina. He was initially apprehended for minor offenses during a routine traffic stop. Subsequently, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina anticipated elevating the charges to federal court, focusing on his threats against the President.
The criminal complaint, now in the public domain, contains photographic evidence of Swain’s vehicle with these menacing messages prominently displayed. The Department of Justice confirms that the threats were written in uppercase letters, capturing attention for their brazen nature.
The incident escalated when an employee at Tidal Wave Auto Spa dialed 911 upon noticing the threatening inscriptions on Swain’s black BMW X5. This alert prompted law enforcement to respond to the scene, confirming the presence of these messages across the vehicle’s windows.
A newly unsealed criminal complaint shows photos of the car Daniel Swain was allegedly driving with threats to assassinate President Donald Trump written all over it (U.S. Department of Justice).
Among the documented threats was a “violent message directing the reader to commit suicide,” as noted by the DOJ. Furthermore, authorities discovered a drone in Swain’s possession, which prosecutors suggest could have been part of his alleged plans for violence.
After being taken into custody, Swain told investigators that he had visited Washington, D.C., in the winter of 2025 and 2026 to “take action” against the president before his most recent trip, according to the complaint. When asked to explain what he meant, Swain “later clarified that he meant he was only going to legally protest,” per the complaint.
“[Swain] admitted to visiting the White House, Capitol, and monuments,” the complaint alleges. “[Swain] told agent he ‘wussed out of doing what he was going to do.’”
Swain is accused of posting online that he wanted to “put a round” in Trump’s “f—ing head” and go on a White House killing rampage.
“F— you, Donald Trump,” Swain allegedly said in an April 19 post.
That day, he posted numerous alleged threats about the president while tagging his public account.
“I’m coming up there to blow your a— up,” Swain allegedly blasted.
Swain allegedly went on to write the following:
Give me a f—ing gun.
Man if I see godd— Donald Trump sorry a— one more time on this f—ing phone. Somebody oughta go put a round in his f—ing head and then do it to his son and do it to his wife and then do it to the rest of Congress.
Donald Trump is the new Hitler at this time.
I’m gonna officially snap and start killing people. That is not a f—ing lie. I ain’t no f—ing joke.
They already know who the f— I am Donald Trump. I swear to God the blood is going to be on your hand. I’m gonna officially snap and start killing people.
Donald Trump … I hope one day somebody does put a bullet right between your eyes.
Swain’s mother told local NBC affiliate WRAL that he is an Army vet who has suffered from mental health problems, including PTSD. She said he is considered by the military to be disabled.
Swain is scheduled to appear in federal court on June 2 for preliminary and detention hearings.
