Kansas man arrested over alleged Trump death threats ahead of rally as disturbing posts emerge

PARK CITY, KANSAS: A 24-year-old Kansas man has been arrested and charged with allegedly threatening to kill President Donald Trump ahead of his scheduled rally in Wichita on Monday, October 19. Federal investigators say Jaden J Read posted a series of disturbing comments on Facebook, including references to ammunition and rooftops near the president's planned speaking location.

The arrest comes as Trump continues his campaign appearances ahead of the November midterm elections. The alleged threats have also drawn attention because Read reportedly referred to the 2024 assassination attempt on Trump in one of his posts.

Jaden J Read allegedly threatened to shoot Donald Trump in Facebook posts

According to the Department of Justice, the investigation began on October 15 after someone contacted Crime Stoppers about comments Read had posted beneath a KAKE News report announcing Trump's upcoming visit to Wichita.

In one comment, Read allegedly called for someone to shoot the president, writing, "Let's shoot Trump honestly, where's our shooter? I'm tired of living this money life."

He then allegedly claimed to have obtained ammunition and threatened to kill Trump.

Investigators later uncovered more comments Read had allegedly posted on October 17 beneath a separate KWCH 12 News report about Trump's visit. In one comment, Read allegedly said he would shoot the president himself, writing, "Can we shoot him in Kansas please I will myself."

A minute later, he reportedly claimed he knew where Trump would deliver his speech and had already mapped nearby rooftops. "IK where your speech will be. Already mapped out roofs around. Finna get kirked since yall couldn't help him," Read allegedly wrote.

The comments prompted further investigation, and Read was arrested in Clearwater, Kansas, on October 17.

Kansas man faces federal charge over alleged threats against Trump

Read is being held in federal custody while awaiting a detention hearing. He faces a federal charge of threatening the president, which carries a potential prison sentence of up to five years.

Ryan A Kriegshauser, the US attorney for Kansas, stressed that political disagreements do not give anyone the right to threaten violence. While Americans are entitled to express strong political opinions, he said, that freedom has legal limits.

The investigation involves several agencies, including the US Secret Service, US Marshals Service, Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Kansas Highway Patrol and Wichita Police Department.

Authorities have not announced an outcome in the case, and the allegations against Read have not been established in court.

Jaden J Read's alleged rooftop comments recall 2024 Trump assassination attempt

The reference to rooftops in Read's alleged Facebook comments has drawn attention because of the July 13, 2024, assassination attempt against Trump in Pennsylvania.

Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, fired eight rounds from an AR-15-style rifle at Trump moments after the then-presidential candidate took the stage at a rally. Trump was wounded in his right ear, while rally attendee Corey Comperatore was killed. Two other people were injured.

Crooks had climbed onto a nearby building, and police were reportedly aware of his presence about 90 minutes before the shooting. He was later killed by a Secret Service member.

Donald Trump heads to Kansas rally amid midterm campaign and Fox News feud

The arrest came as Trump prepared to travel to Kansas to rally for Republican Senator Roger Marshall, who is seeking reelection against Democrat Adam Hamilton and Libertarian David Graham.

Trump was scheduled to speak at 6 pm on Monday at the Heartland Credit Union Arena in Park City, Kansas, as he continued his campaign appearances ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. Before leaving for the rally, Trump also renewed his criticism of Fox News, accusing the network of giving Democrats too much attention compared with Republican candidates.

"Fox spends more time defending Dumocrats, and putting on their views versus their Republican opponent, than at any time in the history of Fox News. It's ridiculous!" Trump wrote on Truth Social on Monday afternoon.

He also urged supporters to watch the rally on the Right Side Broadcast Network, writing, "Fox News is trying too hard to be politically correct! Watch my big Kansas Rally today on RSBN [Right Side Broadcast Network]. Great early coverage!"