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Man Charged with Threatening to Kill President Trump on Social Media

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Derek Lopez, 27, a graduate student and teaching assistant at Illinois State University, has been charged with threatening to kill President Trump on social media, despite a warning from federal agents. Lopez made the threats on multiple social media accounts, including at least one private account, and even created a parody account on X, where he posted as "Agent Smith." The F.B.I. learned of Lopez's online statements in mid-September from an anonymous tip through the National Threats Operation Center and interviewed him in early October.

Key Takeaways:

  • Derek Lopez, 27, has been charged with threatening to kill President Trump on social media, despite a warning from federal agents.
  • Lopez made the threats on multiple social media accounts, including at least one private account.
  • He created a parody account on X, where he posted as "Agent Smith," after being interviewed by F.B.I. agents.
  • Lopez defended his online activity as performance art and free speech, but the F.B.I. said he continued to use threatening language.
  • Lopez was a graduate student and teaching assistant at Illinois State University.
  • The F.B.I. learned of Lopez's online statements in mid-September from an anonymous tip through the National Threats Operation Center.
  • Lopez was arrested after being warned by F.B.I. agents about the differences between First Amendment-protected speech and threats.
  • If convicted, Lopez could serve up to 10 years in prison.

Statistics:

  • 2 social media accounts used by Derek Lopez to make threats against President Trump.
  • 1 private account used by Lopez to make threats.
  • 10 years maximum prison sentence if convicted.
  • 2 assassination attempts on President Trump last year.
  • 1 high-profile attack on a Democratic state lawmaker in Minnesota this year.
  • 1 high-profile attack on a conservative activist and Trump ally was fatally shot at a university campus in Utah last month.

Sources:

  • "F.B.I. Charges Man with Threatening to Kill President Trump on Social Media" (The New York Times, October [date not specified])
  • Affidavit of Special Agent Jerome Smith (Federal Bureau of Investigation)
  • Statement by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of Illinois (Wednesday, [date not specified])
  • Statement by Illinois State University (two weeks ago, [date not specified])

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