A man from Maryland has been apprehended for allegedly plotting to murder Russell Vought, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
The Arlington County Police Department has charged 26-year-old Colin Demarco from Rockville with attempted murder and criminal solicitation to commit murder. Additionally, Demarco faces charges of carrying a concealed weapon and wearing a mask in public to disguise his identity.
“We are thankful for the diligent efforts of law enforcement to ensure the safety of Director Vought and his family,” an OMB spokesperson expressed to Fox News Digital on Friday.
Sources with knowledge of the situation told CBS News that Demarco’s alleged target was indeed Vought. A criminal complaint cited by the outlet indicates that Demarco is accused of attempting to murder an individual identified by the initials “R.V.,” noted to have served as a presidential appointee.
Images of Russell Vought, the OMB Director, and suspect Colin Demarco have been shared, courtesy of Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images and the Arlington County Police Department.
According to the Arlington County Police Department, Demarco was detained at his home on January 16, 2026. He is currently held without bond at the Arlington County Detention Facility following his extradition to Virginia.
“At approximately 3:15 p.m. on August 10, 2025, Arlington County Police were dispatched to the 3800 block of 7th Street S. for the report of a suspicious person. A witness reported observing a male suspect, who was wearing a surgical mask and rubber gloves, carrying a backpack and appeared to be concealing a firearm under his shirt, on the victim’s porch,” police said in a statement Thursday.
“The suspect subsequently approached the witness and inquired about the victim before leaving the scene. The witness then contacted police and responding officers established a perimeter and canvassed the area for the suspect with negative results. The incident was captured on home surveillance video and the suspect was subsequently identified,” police continued.
President Donald Trump, joined by Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Director of the Office of Management and Budget Russell Vought, delivers a statement on natural disaster preparedness in the Oval Office at the White House on June 10, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
“During the course of the investigation, the Arlington County Police Department executed search warrants for digital records associated with the suspect. As a result of these search warrants, police recovered digital evidence that the suspect had obtained directions to the victim’s residence, had information detailing locations of firearms possessed by a relative and had a guide detailing tips to prevent criminal detection,” the Arlington County Police Department added.
“Additionally, the suspect had posted online about the victim and had online discussions appearing to solicit others to murder the victim. Within days of these online solicitations, the August 10 incident occurred where the suspect arrived at the victim’s address wearing a mask and gloves, possibly concealing a firearm and inquired about the victim. As a result of the investigation, detectives obtained the criminal warrants for the suspect’s arrest,” it also said.
Demarco allegedly said he went to Vought’s home because he wanted to confront him about Project 2025, CBS News reported, citing the complaint.
In November 2024, Demarco also was taken into custody in Maryland through a mental illness emergency petition, following a request for a police officer to run him over or shoot him, according to CBS News.
Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought speaks to reporters outside the West Wing of the White House on July 17, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Getty Images)
“Demarco stated he wanted to die due to Trump being elected as president,” the news outlet cited the complaint as saying.
