Arizona Man Arrested for Violent Threats Against President-Elect Trump and Family

Federal agents arrested Manuel Tamayo-Torres, an Arizona man, for allegedly making violent threats to President-elect Donald Trump and his family. Tamayo-Torres, who reportedly brandished weapons in videos, was taken into custody Tuesday in California after catching the attention of authorities, according to ABC News.

Tamayo-Torres allegedly posted several videos online, in which he delivered expletive-laden and threatening remarks while wielding firearms, including an AR-15-style rifle. According to court documents, he made “vague yet direct threats” against Trump, referred to in the filings as “Individual 1.” Sources confirmed that the threats were targeted at Trump specifically.

“You’re gonna die,” Tamayo-Torres allegedly declared in one video. “Your son’s gonna die. Your whole family is going to die… I’m going to put a hole in your face.” The charging documents reveal that Tamayo-Torres came alarmingly close to Trump during the presidential campaign. In August, he reportedly visited an arena in Glendale, Arizona, where Trump was holding a rally and recorded his trip there.

This proximity raised further concerns for authorities. In addition to the threats, Tamayo-Torres allegedly claimed in videos that Trump had kidnapped and trafficked his children. He accused Trump and the Secret Service of abducting his daughter, according to federal authorities. One video, recorded earlier in November, showed Tamayo-Torres holding what appeared to be a white AR-15-style rifle with a 30-round magazine.

Authorities noted that he frequently posted similar videos threatening Trump “on a near-daily basis.” The threats come in the wake of other security concerns for Trump. Earlier this year, Trump survived an assassination attempt during a rally in July when a gunman fired at him from a nearby building, hitting him in the ear.

These incidents underscore the ongoing risks faced by high-profile political figures. Tamayo-Torres now faces serious federal charges. His actions and statements highlight the broader concerns of politically motivated violence and the challenges authorities face in addressing such threats in a highly polarized environment.