A Maryland man has been arrested on attempted murder charges against Russ Vought, one of President Trump’s top aides.
Police in Arlington County, Virginia, announced the arrest of Colin Demarco on Thursday, after a months-long investigation. CBS News reported that his target was Mr. Vought.
Authorities said Mr. Demarco was spotted last August by neighbors who saw him wearing a surgical mask and gloves and carrying what appeared to be a gun. He left, but was caught on video and police eventually identified Mr. Demarco.
Search warrants turned up attempts to solicit Mr. Vought’s murder.
Sheriff’s Department records show Mr. Demarco was booked into jail on Jan. 22. The police department didn’t announce the arrest until Thursday, but in its blotter from August it did record a “suspicious circumstances” incident for the block.
Mr. Demarco faces two attempted murder charges, one charge of wearing a mask in public, and one charge of carrying a concealed weapon.
CBS, citing court documents, said Mr. Demarco blamed Mr. Vought for the conservative Project 2025 effort that became a focal point of the 2024 presidential campaign.
He also admired Luigi Mangione, who stands charged with the murder of United Health CEO Brian Thompson.
Rep. Brendan Boyle, the top Democrat on the House Budget Committee, said he was “deeply alarmed” by the attempted attack.
“Political violence is unacceptable and represents an attack not only on an individual, but on our democracy itself,” he said.
Mr. Vought has served as director of the White House Office of Management and Budget in the first and second Trump administrations. He is also acting head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
He’s seen as a key architect of Mr. Trump’s push to slim the footprint of the federal government.
Mr. Trump was the subject of several assassination attempts during the 2024 campaign, including a gunman whose bullet bloodied the then-candidate’s ear.
Conservative activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated last fall, a month after the alleged attempt on Mr. Vought.
