An Arizona man, Manuel Tamayo-Torres, was apprehended in connection with threats made against President-elect Donald Trump, as revealed by court documents.
Tamayo-Torres is accused of issuing several threats against the president-elect and his family through a series of Facebook videos. These videos included alarming statements and actions, notably one where he allegedly brandished what appeared to be an AR-15-style rifle.
In one of the videos posted last Thursday, Tamayo-Torres reportedly made explicit threats, saying, “[Individual 1] you’re gonna die, [Individual 1], your son’s gonna die. Your whole family is going to die, [Individual 1]. This is reality now for you. This is the only reality you have in your future, [Individual 1], dying.” The term “Individual 1” was used to refer to a public figure, former president, and the current president-elect without directly naming Trump.
Another video from earlier in the month seemed to depict Tamayo-Torres holding an AR-15-style rifle with a 30-round magazine, an image corroborated by the court documents. His intentions appeared threatening, aimed directly at Trump.
The situation escalated on August 23 when Tamayo-Torres posted from Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. This event coincided with a rally where Trump highlighted plans to form an independent commission to investigate assassination attempts, referencing an attempt on his life in July at a Pennsylvania rally.
Further complicating his legal challenges, Tamayo-Torres faces several charges of making false statements while attempting to purchase a firearm in Phoenix last year. His legal representation remains unspecified, according to available court records.
The arrest of Manuel Tamayo-Torres underscores the serious nature of threats against public officials, highlighting ongoing security concerns surrounding high-profile political figures.
Source: CNN
