A federal grand jury has indicted Tyler Miles Leveque, 37, of Albuquerque, on charges of making interstate threats against President Donald Trump.
According to a criminal complaint filed by the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico, Leveque made multiple threatening posts between January 2 and January 4, 2025, directly targeting President Trump. In one of his posts, he stated, “You and your rich friends are dead no threat a promise,” and repeatedly tagged the president’s profile.
Federal authorities, including the U.S. Secret Service and the Albuquerque Police Department’s Crisis Intervention Team, confronted Leveque at his residence in New Mexico on January 6. During the encounter, Leveque admitted to making the threats but attempted to justify them as an exercise of free speech, claiming frustration with the government.
On January 3, he posted another message tagging Trump’s profile, writing, “Can’t wait for your Victory rally! The 19th right!? Lol, you and your rich friends are dead no threat a promise.” Further investigation by the Secret Service revealed Leveque had been making similar threats online over multiple days. In one post, he stated, “Hey @celebrities @ceos @elonmusk @DonaldTrump @Joemarafa it’s too late for y’all should’ve shut down TikTok a long time ago see u on the 19th for war!”
Authorities arrested Leveque at his home on January 6, with the FBI and local law enforcement assisting. During questioning, he admitted to making the threats and revealed that he had recently purchased a firearm online, though he had not yet taken possession of it.
This case underscores the seriousness of threats against a sitting U.S. president and the swift action taken by law enforcement to ensure the safety of public officials. Despite Leveque’s attempt to claim free speech as a defense, federal law makes it clear that threats of violence, especially against the Commander-in-Chief, are a serious crime.
