Judge orders exam for man charged with threatening President Trump at Apex car wash

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A man accused of threatening President Donald Trump with messages written on his SUV will undergo a competency evaluation before his federal criminal case can move forward.

U.S. District Court Judge James Dever ordered a psychiatric or psychological examination of Daniel Swain, 41, who was arrested on April 29 in Apex.

“The evaluation will determine whether Mr. Swain understands the nature and consequences of the proceedings against him and whether he can properly assist in his defense,” the June 5 order states.

Police arrested Swain after responding to a report of a car covered with threatening wording at an Apex car wash.

“HEADED TO WSH TO KILL THE PRES,” was written on the driver’s side door of the BMW X5.

On June 1, Swain’s attorney requested a mental health examination for his client.

“Counsel has reasonable cause to believe that Mr. Swain may be presently suffering from a mental disease or defect rendering him mentally incompetent,” wrote David Wicclair, an assistant public defender for the federal Eastern District of North Carolina.

A report on Swain’s placement and status, including when his evaluation is expected to be completed, should be shared with court officials by June 20 but won’t be made public, the judge’s order states.

When the report is completed, it should be shared with the federal prosecutors and Swain’s attorney.

This story was originally published June 15, 2026 at 5:30 AM with the headline “Judge orders exam for man charged with threatening President Trump at Apex car wash.”