A 24-year-old Kansas man has been arrested and charged with making online threats against President Trump in the days leading up to the president’s Monday evening rally in Wichita.
Trump is scheduled to speak at 6 p.m. at Heartland Credit Union Arena in Park City, just outside Wichita. The event, held for Republican Sen. Roger Marshall, had its location revealed Friday on the Republican National Committee’s website, according to the Wichita Eagle.
ALLEGED FACEBOOK THREATS
Jaden J. Read was arrested Saturday after allegedly posting threats against the president on Facebook.
According to authorities, Read wrote, “Let’s shoot Trump, honestly, where’s our shooter? I’m tired of living this money life.”
A follow-up post allegedly read, “I just got a 308 and 305 round and I’m killing this pedo.”
A Crime Stoppers tip led authorities to the posts. The comments were written in response to a KAKE News article about Trump’s upcoming visit.
“ALREADY MAPPED OUT ROOFS”
Investigators also found two more threatening comments posted in response to a KWCH 12 News article about the president’s planned rally.
“Can we shoot him in Kansas please I will myself,” Read allegedly wrote.
That was followed by another alleged post that read, “IK where your speech will be. Already mapped out roofs around. Finna get kirked since yall couldn’t help him.”
ARREST AND CUSTODY
Read was arrested Saturday in Clearwater, Kansas, and taken into federal custody. Authorities say he will remain there until his detention hearing.
U.S. ATTORNEY ISSUES WARNING
U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser issued a stern warning in a release announcing the charges.
“Political violence and threats of political violence will not be tolerated,” Kriegshauser said.
“The first Amendment allows for robust disagreement but there are constraints. I caution people to stay within the bounds of constitutionally protected speech,” he added.
SECRET SERVICE SEES SPIKE IN THREATS
The arrest comes as the Secret Service reports a sharp rise in threats against the president.
On Sunday’s “60 Minutes,” U.S. Secret Service Director Sean Curran said the agency has seen a 40% increase in threats against the president and other protectees.
“The world is different than what it was 20 years ago,” Curran said. “You know, social media changes people.”
RALLY GOES FORWARD
The alleged threats were made in the days before Trump’s scheduled appearance in Park City, where he is set to rally support for Marshall.
According to authorities, the posts specifically referenced the location of the president’s speech and claimed the author had “mapped out roofs” in the area.
The case was brought to light through a tip to Crime Stoppers, which led investigators to the comments posted on Facebook in response to local news coverage of the president’s visit.
Read now faces federal charges and will remain in custody until his detention hearing.
The case is the latest example of the threats Curran described, as the Secret Service director pointed to social media as a factor in the rise in threats against the president and other protectees.
[READ MORE: Elon Musk Vows to Give a SpaceX Share to Every Child in America Next Year]
