Federal Worker Arrested for Alleged Plot to Kill Donald Trump

A contractor working with the Federal Aviation Administration has been arrested in the United States over allegations that he threatened to kill former President Donald Trump and used a government-linked work computer to research details connected to the alleged plot, according to federal prosecutors.

Authorities identified the suspect as Dean DelleChiaie, a 35-year-old mechanical engineer based in New Hampshire. He is accused of using his official workplace computer system to carry out online searches and engage in communications that raised serious security concerns.

Court documents allege that DelleChiaie searched for information on how to bring a firearm into a federal facility, alongside explicit statements referencing a threat against Donald Trump. Investigators also said he searched for information relating to the families of senior U.S. officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.

The investigation reportedly began after internal monitoring systems at the FAA flagged suspicious activity. Officials said DelleChiaie later contacted the agency’s IT department requesting that his search history be deleted from his work computer, which further escalated concerns.

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Following the alert, a United States Secret Service agent interviewed him at his residence on February 3, where he allegedly admitted to conducting the searches and expressed anger over political developments, including elections, presidential pardons, and other issues referenced in court filings.

Prosecutors further alleged that on April 21, he used his personal computer to send an email to the White House with the subject line “Contact the President.” In the message, he allegedly issued a direct threat against Donald Trump, stating intentions to “neutralize/kill” him and linking his actions to grievances about government decisions.

Authorities also confirmed that he admitted to owning three firearms during the investigation. He is expected to appear in court, where he faces charges related to making threatening communications and misuse of electronic systems.

If convicted, DelleChiaie could face up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 (£185,000), according to prosecutors.

The case forms part of a broader series of recent prosecutions involving alleged threats against Donald Trump and other U.S. officials, with authorities noting an increase in such incidents.

Federal prosecutors have reiterated that threats against public officials are treated with zero tolerance, as agencies continue to strengthen monitoring of digital communications and workplace systems to prevent security breaches.

Federal Worker Arrested for Alleged Plot to Kill Donald Trump

US Navy Operation in Hormuz Aims to Protect Commercial Ships, Says Hegseth

The United States has clarified that its ongoing naval operation in the Strait of Hormuz is strictly defensive, temporary, and limited in scope, amid rising tensions in one of the world’s most sensitive maritime routes.

The US Defence Secretary, Pete Hegseth, said the operation—referred to by US officials as “Project Freedom”—is separate from other regional military activities, including what he described as “Operation Epic Fury.”

“To be clear, this operation is separate and distinct from Operation Epic Fury,” Hegseth said at a Pentagon briefing. “Project Freedom is defensive in nature, focused in scope and temporary in duration, with one mission: Protecting innocent commercial shipping from Iranian aggression.”

Hegseth explained that the mission is aimed at safeguarding civilian vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz shipping route, a critical passage connecting the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea and one of the most important corridors for global oil transport. He said the operation is designed to ensure the safe movement of commercial vessels and prevent disruptions to international maritime trade, stressing that it is not intended to escalate military confrontation in the region.

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According to him, two US commercial vessels have already transited the strait under the operation’s protection, while several other ships attempting to approach restricted waters were turned back. He also claimed that six vessels that attempted to violate what he described as a blockade of Iranian ports were redirected, although full operational details were not provided.

The development follows earlier remarks by US President Donald Trump, who announced that the US would begin assisting stranded vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump described the initiative as a humanitarian effort aimed at helping neutral countries affected by regional tensions involving the US, Israel, and Iran. He said some ships were reportedly stranded and facing shortages of food and supplies due to restricted movement in the waterway. However, US officials have released limited details on the scope of the mission or the number of vessels involved.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most strategically important and sensitive maritime corridors in the world, with a significant portion of global oil shipments passing through it daily. The area has repeatedly been a flashpoint during geopolitical tensions involving Iran and Western powers, prompting frequent naval deployments and security escorts by multiple countries.

US officials maintain that the current operation is strictly precautionary and temporary, aimed at preventing escalation while ensuring the uninterrupted flow of global trade through the Strait of Hormuz maritime corridor.

US Navy Operation in Hormuz Aims to Protect Commercial Ships, Says Hegseth

US Jury Convicts Man for Strangling Wife in Argument Over Laundry Detergent

A Superior Court jury in the United States has found Jonny Gregory guilty of strangling his wife during a domestic dispute over laundry detergent in Washington D.C., according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.

The verdict was announced on Monday by officials from the U.S. Attorney’s Office alongside interim chief Jeffrey Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department. Prosecutors said the 42-year-old defendant had been in custody since his arrest on January 6, 2026, one day after the incident occurred.

Court records showed that the fatal assault happened on January 5, 2026, following an argument that began over a household issue involving laundry detergent but escalated into extreme violence.

During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence that Gregory pushed his wife to the ground, repeatedly punched her in the face, placed his knee on her chest, and strangled her with both hands. The victim reportedly lost consciousness during the attack and suffered severe physical trauma.

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Authorities also told the court that the victim urinated on herself as she was being assaulted. She was later rushed to a local hospital for emergency treatment but had already sustained critical injuries. Their 15-year-old daughter was present during the attack, according to the Department of Justice statement, a detail prosecutors described as particularly traumatic.

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said the conviction reflects the seriousness of the crime and the justice system’s commitment to domestic violence cases.

“Today’s guilty verdict reflects the seriousness of the defendant’s actions. He chose violence, and he will be held accountable,” she said. She added that her office remains committed to prosecuting domestic abuse cases and supporting survivors.

The presiding judge, Deborah Israel, has scheduled sentencing for July 31, 2026. Gregory now faces a lengthy prison term under U.S. sentencing guidelines for violent crimes involving strangulation and domestic assault.

The case has drawn renewed attention in the U.S. to the dangers of domestic violence escalation, particularly incidents that begin with minor disputes but quickly turn fatal. Advocacy groups continue to call for stronger prevention systems, early intervention, and increased support for at-risk families.

US Jury Convicts Man for Strangling Wife in Argument Over Laundry Detergent