Police arrested a man from Arizona in the US for allegedly threatening to kill President-elect Donald Trump and his family. Identified as Manuel Tamayo-Torres, the person allegedly posted videos on social media sites with threats to Trump, reports said.
As per ABC 7 news, in one of the videos, Tamayo-Torres appeared to hold up a white AR-15-style rifle with a 30-round magazine inserted into it, while making the threat. Tamayo-Torres was arrested on Monday, November 25, near San Diego. The charges against him were filed in Arizona.
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Court documents, however, did not directly mention Trump, but only referred to him as “Individual 1”, which is the protocol.
The Arizona man is facing a felony charge of threatening the president-elect, and four counts of making false statements during the purchase of a firearm, the documents said.
He also claimed in the videos that “Individual 1” kidnapped and sex-trafficked his children, the ABC 7 reported. However, it’s unclear if Tamayo-Torres actually had children.
Several Trump cabinet nominees receive threats
Meanwhile, Trump isn’t the only one who’s facing threats. Federal Bureau of Investigation or FBI on Wednesday said it is aware that several of US President-elect’s cabinet nominees and appointees have received bomb threats.
“The FBI is aware of numerous bomb threats and swatting incidents targeting incoming administration nominees and appointees, and we are working with our law enforcement partners,” the FBI said in a statement.
“We take all potential threats seriously and, as always, encourage members of the public to immediately report anything they consider suspicious to law enforcement,” the statement further said.
In an X post, New York Republican Elise Stefanik, who Trump has named to be the US ambassador to the United Nations, said her family home was targeted by a bomb threat.
“This morning, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, her husband, and their three-year-old son were driving home to Saratoga County from Washington for Thanksgiving when they were informed of a bomb threat to their residence,” she wrote on X.
Office of Chairwoman Stefanik released the following statement:
— Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) November 27, 2024
“This morning, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, her husband, and their three year old son were driving home to Saratoga County from Washington for Thanksgiving when they were informed of a bomb threat to their…
She said New York State, County law enforcement, and U.S. Capitol Police responded immediately.
Karoline Leavitt, a spokeswoman for Trump’s transition team, confirmed the development and was quoted as saying by Fox News that the attacks ranged from bomb threats to ‘swatting’.
“Last night and this morning, several of President Trump’s Cabinet nominees and Administration appointees were targeted in violent, un-American threats to their lives and those who live with them,” said Leavitt.
— Karoline Leavitt (@karolineleavitt) November 27, 2024
“These attacks ranged from bomb threats to ‘swatting’. In response, law enforcement and other authorities acted quickly to ensure the safety of those who were targeted. President Trump and the entire Transition team are grateful for their swift action.
“President Trump and the Transition are focused on doing the work of uniting our nation by ensuring a safe and prosperous future. With President Trump as our example, dangerous acts of intimidation and violence will not deter us,” Leavitt added.
(With inputs from PTI.)
