A Maryland man is facing multiple charges after authorities say he traveled to Northern Virginia last summer with the intent to kill a senior Trump administration official, driven by political grievances tied to Project 2025.
Colin Demarco, 26, of Rockville, Md., was arrested last month, according to law enforcement and court filings cited by multiple outlets. Investigators allege Demarco targeted Russell Vought — a key architect of Project 2025 — who now serves as director of the Office of Management and Budget in President Donald Trump’s administration.
Demarco is charged in Virginia with attempted murder, criminal solicitation to commit murder, carrying a concealed weapon and wearing a mask in public to conceal his identity, Arlington County Police said in a release.
He was taken into custody at his Maryland residence on Jan. 16, extradited to Virginia and is being held without bond at the Arlington County Detention Facility.
Arlington County Police did not publicly name Demarco’s intended target, telling authorities the department “does not identify victims or witnesses of crimes.”
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But court documents obtained by CBS News describe the alleged target as a presidential appointee identified by the initials “R.V.” Sources familiar with the investigation later confirmed to the outlet that Vought was the individual. Vought’s identity was also confirmed by NBC News, citing sources.
An Office of Management and Budget spokesperson said officials were “grateful for the work of law enforcement in keeping Director Vought and his family safe.”
Why Vought Has Become a Flashpoint
The allegations come amid heightened concern over political violence in the United States, and in a moment when Project 2025 has become a lightning rod.
Vought has drawn national attention for his role in shaping Project 2025, a sweeping conservative policy blueprint backed by the Heritage Foundation. The initiative lays out plans to expand presidential authority and restructure the federal government by consolidating power within the executive branch and placing loyalists across federal agencies — proposals critics say could erode democratic norms and weaken civil service protections.
As OMB director, Vought has also been a prominent supporter of efforts to make it easier to remove career federal employees, a stance that has drawn strong opposition from labor groups and Democrats.
What Police Say Happened in Arlington
Police were dispatched around 3:15 p.m. on Aug. 10, 2025, to the 3800 block of 7th Street S. in Arlington, Va., after a witness reported a suspicious man standing on a home’s porch. The witness said the man was wearing a surgical mask and rubber gloves, carrying a backpack and appeared to be concealing a firearm under his shirt. The person reportedly approached the witness to ask about the resident and then left the area, according to an Arlington County Police release.
Home surveillance video later showed the man looking through the home’s mailbox and approaching a neighbor to ask if anyone was home before leaving, police said. Officers canvassed the area but did not locate the suspect at the time.
Investigators say digital records later obtained through search warrants showed Demarco had gathered directions to the victim’s residence, kept information detailing where firearms owned by a relative were located, and maintained notes outlining methods to avoid criminal detection. Authorities also allege he posted online about the victim and participated in discussions that appeared to “solicit others to murder” him, according to the release.
Within days of those online exchanges, investigators say, Demarco arrived at the victim’s home wearing a mask and gloves and may have been concealing a firearm.
What Investigators Say He Admitted — and What He Denied
Demarco later admitted traveling from Maryland to Arlington but denied carrying a gun or intending to harm anyone, according to court records reviewed by CBS News. He told investigators he wanted to confront the official about Project 2025, the filings state.
Court records cited by CBS News also say Demarco described the November 2024 election as “the lowest point in his life,” and told investigators he feared an “impending war and a fascist takeover.”
Notes recovered from Demarco’s iCloud account referenced a weapons stash, filings cited by CBS News show. They reportedly included another document titled “Body Disposal Guide,” which outlined steps such as wearing gloves and creating an alibi.
Messages exchanged on Discord allegedly showed Demarco expressing a desire to kill President Trump and referencing Vought by name, according to the complaint cited by CBS News. In one instance, Demarco wrote that he had found Vought’s address, the complaint states.
Other posts cited in filings obtained by CBS News said Demarco expressed admiration for Luigi Mangione, the man charged with murdering former UnitedHealth Group CEO Brian Thompson.
Prior Law Enforcement Contact
Demarco had prior contact with law enforcement in November 2024, when he was taken into custody under a mental health emergency petition in Maryland after allegedly asking an officer to run him over or shoot him, CBS News reported, citing court records. He reportedly told officers he wanted to die following Trump’s election and said he was writing a manifesto.
CBS News also reported that Vought has received protection from the U.S. Marshals Service amid previous threats. Arlington’s public defender office told the outlet Demarco had retained counsel, but did not provide additional details.
