A 45-year-old American man has been arrested and charged for allegedly making repeated online threats to kill US President Donald Trump, authorities have confirmed.
The suspect, Andrew Emerald, is accused of posting a series of threatening messages on social media in 2025, including explicit statements about harming the president. According to a press release from the US Department of Justice, Emerald allegedly made at least eight separate threats, some of which outlined violent intentions.
In one post from May 2025 cited in court documents, Emerald reportedly wrote that either Trump would be “dead and in the ground by 2026” or that he would personally track him down and carry out the act. In another message, he allegedly threatened to attack Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, using explicit language to describe plans to set the property on fire.
Authorities say the investigation escalated after the posts were flagged as credible threats. A federal court filing from the Federal Bureau of Investigation detailed how agents executed an arrest warrant at Emerald’s residence in Massachusetts.
During the operation, Emerald reportedly refused to comply with orders to exit his home and was seen brandishing what officials described as a long metal sword. He allegedly told law enforcement officers that they would have to shoot him, raising concerns about a potentially dangerous confrontation.
However, the situation was eventually de-escalated without violence. Officials said Emerald surrendered peacefully after negotiations involving a crisis negotiator and a local police officer.
Following the arrest, the FBI released images showing multiple swords and bladed weapons that were allegedly recovered from the suspect’s home. Investigators believe the weapons may be linked to the threats made in his online posts.
In another message shared on Facebook, Emerald allegedly stated his intention to travel to Washington, D.C., armed with a sword, to attack the president and others he described as “domestic terrorists.” The post has been cited as further evidence of his intent and planning.
Court records also reveal that Emerald had previously come to the attention of law enforcement. In 2018, during Trump’s first term in office, authorities reportedly questioned him over a separate incident involving a possible threat to shoot the president.
Emerald was formally indicted on March 19 on eight counts of interstate transmission of threatening communications. Each count carries a potential sentence of up to five years in prison, meaning he could face significant jail time if convicted.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about threats made against public officials, particularly through social media platforms. Law enforcement agencies in the United States have increasingly taken a proactive approach to investigating and prosecuting such cases, especially when threats are deemed credible.
This is not the first instance of an individual facing legal consequences for threatening the president online. In March, a man in Virginia was sentenced to more than two years in prison after being convicted of making similar threats against Trump.
The issue of presidential security has remained a major focus in recent years, particularly following a high-profile assassination attempt in July 2024. During that incident, a gunman opened fire at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, grazing Trump with a bullet and raising alarm over the safety of political figures during public events.
Authorities continue to stress that all threats, whether made online or in person, are treated with the utmost seriousness. Officials have urged the public to report suspicious or threatening behavior to law enforcement agencies to prevent potential acts of violence.
The case against Emerald is expected to proceed in federal court, where prosecutors will seek to prove that his statements constituted credible threats under US law. Meanwhile, the incident serves as a reminder of the risks posed by extremist rhetoric and the importance of maintaining vigilance in protecting public officials.
As investigations continue, authorities have reiterated their commitment to ensuring the safety of elected leaders and upholding the rule of law in the face of potential threats.
