Gregory Lee Leingang

A 42-year-old North Dakota man has pleaded guilty to an attempt to use a forklift to flip Donald Trump's limousine as part of an assassination attempt, according to a report in the Grand Forks Herald.

Gregory Lee Leingang was charged with attempting to enter or remain in a restricted building and on grounds while using a dangerous weapon and one count of attempting to damage government property.

The 'dangerous weapon' in this instance was a forklift that he stole on September 6, 2017, with the intent of using it to intercept Trump's motorcade in the town of Mandan, just outside North Dakota's capital, Bismarck.

Trump was in town that day giving a speech at a local refinery.

Leingang's attempt was foiled when the forklift got stuck on the way to the motorcade route. He was then apprehended by police, whereupon he revealed his intention to kill the president to both the police and the secret service.

Leingang's lawyer argued that Leingang has a history of mental illness, having been diagnosed with ADHD and bipolar disorder. He also pleaded guilty to lighting a number of fires prior to the forklift incident, in addition to pleading guilty to stealing the forklift.

He is scheduled to be sentenced on 15 February 2019.