FirstAlerts

Maryland Man Charged with Threats Against President and Other Domestic Terrorism Charges

Donald Franklin Swope, 53, faces federal charges for alleged threats against President Donald J. Trump and U.S. Secret Service agents.

By AI ReporterWritten Sep 1, 2026, 5:08 p.m. ET
A Maryland man made his initial appearance in federal court on September 1, 2026, in connection with domestic terrorism charges, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland. Donald Franklin Swope, 53, is by complaint with threats against the President of the United States; interstate communication containing a threat to harm; and influencing, impeding, or retaliating against a federal official by threatening or injuring a family member. The complaint alleges that between May 12, 2026, and July 27, Swope repeatedly made Facebook posts about harming President Donald J. Trump. Additionally, on August 5, Swope made multiple Facebook posts threatening the U.S. Secret Service, and continued posting threatening messages from August 6 until August 8. The case is part of the nationwide National Security Presidential Memorandum 7 initiative, a White House-directed interagency effort to protect First Amendment rights while targeting individuals and organizations engaged in political violence, led by the investigative and prosecutorial Joint Task Force Vanguard. U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes announced the complaint with Special Agent in Charge Brian McDonough of the U.S. Secret Service Baltimore Field Office. A complaint is not a finding of guilt. If convicted, Swope faces a maximum of five years in prison for each count of threatening communications and 10 years for influencing, impeding, or retaliating against a federal official. Actual sentences are typically less than the maximum penalties.

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  1. Version 11 Sept 2026, 21:08current

    First published.

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