United States: A man arrested in Kansas for making death threats against Donald Trump on social media

The US president was visiting this Midwestern state on Monday to support Republican Senator Roger Marshall ahead of the midterm elections scheduled for November 3.

“Let’s shoot Trump,” “I’m going to kill that pedophile,” “he’s going to get ‘kirked’”… These are the messages from Jaden J. Read, a 24-year-old man arrested on Saturday, October 17, in Clearwater, Kansas, for making death threats against the President of the United States on Facebook before his visit to the Midwestern state. Donald Trump was expected there last Monday to support Republican Senator Roger Marshall ahead of the midterm elections scheduled for November 3.

While the trip ultimately went as planned, with the White House occupant making no mention of potential threats during the meeting, the Department of Justice issued a statement addressing the incident, which was brought to light by “Crime Stoppers,” a non-profit program that allows citizens to anonymously share information about criminal activity.

"On October 15, information provided to Crime Stoppers led authorities to a Facebook post in which Jaden Read had left comments in response to a KAKE News article detailing President Trump's upcoming visit to Wichita, Kansas, scheduled for October 19, 2026. Jaden J. Read's threatening comments raised concerns among authorities," the statement said.

Two comments were posted in quick succession: “Let’s shoot Trump, seriously, where’s our sniper? I’m sick of living this life where everything revolves around money” and “I just got some .308 and .305 calibers and I’m going to kill this pedophile.” Then two more in response to another KWCH 12 News article. “Can we take him down in Kansas, please?” he asked, adding that he was ready to do it himself.

"I've already scouted the rooftops around here."

A minute later, the man in his twenties became even more threatening: “I know where your speech will be. I’ve already scouted the rooftops around. He’s going to get ‘Kirked’ since you couldn’t help him,” a reference to the far-right activist Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed at an outdoor rally in Utah in September 2025. An investigation has been opened, conducted jointly by the Secret Service, the US Marshals Service, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the State Highway Patrol, and the Wichita Police Department.

For its part, the federal prosecutor's office for the district of Kansas has filed a criminal complaint against Jaden J. Read, who is currently being held in Clearwater. He faces up to five years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. Investigators have not yet specified whether firearms were found at the suspect's home at the time of his arrest, nor whether he had taken any concrete steps to carry out the threats he posted on social media, according to ABC News.

When contacted by the American media, the White House declined to comment on the matter, referring questions to the U.S. Secret Service. Quoted in the Justice Department's statement, U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser asserted that "political violence and threats of political violence will not be tolerated." He added, "The First Amendment allows for vigorous disagreement, but there are limits. I caution the public to remain within the bounds of freedom of speech protected by the Constitution."