A Pennsylvania man has been federally charged with making threats to assault and assassinate President Donald Trump, other U.S. officials, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Shawn Monper, 32, was arrested on Wednesday in Butler, Pennsylvania, where Trump narrowly avoided assassination during a campaign rally last July. The FBI and Butler Township Police Department worked together to apprehend Monper before he could carry out his threats.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi commended the investigative work that led to Monper’s arrest, stating that the Department of Justice will prosecute suspects who make threats of assassination or mass violence to the fullest extent of the law.
The FBI became aware of Monper’s threatening statements on his YouTube account, where he used the alias “Mr. Satan.” He made multiple threats between January and April, including plans to assassinate Trump, calling ICE agents terrorists, and hinting at a potential mass shooting.
Monper’s YouTube account also revealed that he obtained a firearms permit after Trump’s inauguration and had been stockpiling guns and ammunition. He specifically mentioned purchasing one gun a month since the election and acquiring body armor.
The investigation uncovered a threat against ICE agents on April 1, where Monper stated that he would consider any armed ICE agent as a domestic terrorist and open fire on them.
The Butler Township Police Department and the FBI are jointly investigating the case, and Monper is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.
It is worth noting that Trump was shot in the ear during a campaign rally in Butler last year, with the shooter being killed by the Secret Service. In a separate incident, a Florida man was arrested for attempting to assassinate the president outside his golf course in West Palm Beach. Recently, another Florida man was also arrested for making threats on social media to assassinate Trump.
Overall, the Department of Justice continues to crack down on individuals making threats against the president and other government officials, ensuring the safety and security of all Americans.
