A resident of Nashua, New Hampshire, Dean DelleChiaie, 35, has been charged with making assassination threats against former President Donald Trump. DelleChiaie, employed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), is facing a federal charge for interstate communication of a threat against the president, as outlined in a criminal complaint.
DelleChiaie was arrested on May 4, 2026, and appeared in U.S. District Court in New Hampshire the following day. The investigation into his actions initiated when DelleChiaie used his FAA work computer to perform internet searches that raised significant concern between January 20 and January 29, 2026.
Details of the Threatening Searches
The searches conducted by DelleChiaie included phrases such as “how to get a gun into a federal facility” and “I am going to kill Donald John Trump.” He also looked up information related to past assassination attempts against the president and even searched for the Vice President’s home address along with the names and ages of his children.
Following these searches, DelleChiaie requested assistance from the FAA IT department to delete his browsing history. This request alerted FAA officials, who subsequently reported the matter to law enforcement. As a result, DelleChiaie was suspended from his position.
Investigation and Admission
On February 3, 2026, DelleChiaie was interviewed by U.S. Secret Service agents and local police at his residence. During this interview, he admitted to conducting the aforementioned searches and expressed regret for his actions. He characterized his behavior as “crazy” and acknowledged that these searches were inappropriate on a government device.
According to court documents, DelleChiaie stated that he was motivated by dissatisfaction with the current administration on various issues, including the election, presidential pardons, and the so-called “Epstein files.” He asserted that he had no real intent to commit assassination but had searched the topic due to his internal conflicts and frustrations.
Additional Evidence
As investigators continued to explore DelleChiaie’s background, they found handwritten notes displayed on a whiteboard in his apartment. These notes included phrases like “Calm down more” and “Say arrest me ‘I am going to murder Donald John Trump – per defense of oath.’” Such indicators have raised alarms about his mental state and intentions.
Further complicating matters, on April 21, 2026, DelleChiaie allegedly sent an email from his personal account to the White House’s public-facing email, expressing violent intent against Trump. The email emphasized his belief that Trump’s actions constituted terrorism.
Potential Penalties
If convicted of the charges against him, DelleChiaie could face a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The case highlights ongoing concerns regarding threats against public officials and the serious implications of such actions.
The ramifications of this incident extend beyond DelleChiaie’s immediate legal challenges, raising broader questions about safety and accountability for government employees.
This situation is a stark reminder of the legal consequences associated with making threats against any individual, particularly those in positions of political power.