The man who Apex police said threatened President Donald Trump appeared before a judge on Thursday afternoon.
Daniel Swain was arrested on Wednesday afternoon, allegedly on his way to Washington, D.C., to kill President Trump. Swain’s mother told WRAL News that he’s an Army veteran with mental health problems. She said he has PTSD and is considered 100% disabled from the military.
Swain was very
calm and collected in court.
While he currently sits in a Wake County jail on local drug charges, he could soon be moved to a federal prison for threatening the president.
“I’m unemployed, U.S. Army Veteran, third generation. This is a little ridiculous, but that’s about all,” he said in court.
However, his Facebook page tells a much different story. His posts include dozens of rants criticizing the government for the
death of his family members. Additionally, he calls out presidents, past and present.
A post from April 19 said “somebody should put
a round in Donald Trump’s head, his son, his wife and the members of Congress.“
The posts contain ramblings that appear similar to writing seen on his SUV in
Apex on Wednesday.
“I can tell you there have been reports he was
currently charged with communicating threats to president,” said a prosecutor.
Additional charges — for possession of methamphetamine and resisting arrest — are much less serious than the federal charges that await him.
The US Attorney’s Office of the Eastern District is expected
to release details on the specific charges Swain will face. This is at least the fourth known threat to Donald Trump
this year. Over the weekend, a man tried to storm the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner with guns and knives, according to authorities.