A 73-year-old man from Yucca Valley, California, Thomas Eugene Streavel, has pleaded not guilty to three felony counts of making threats against then-president-elect Donald trump. Streavel allegedly made the threats in a series of Facebook posts shortly after the election, where he referred to himself as an “assassin,” according to prosecutors.

Streavel was arrested by United States Marshals and arraigned in Central District Court in Riverside. He was released on a $10,000 bond and is scheduled to return to court on July 28.If convicted on all counts, Streavel could face up to 15 years in prison.

“this defendant is charged with threatening the life of our President – a man who has already survived two deranged attempts on his life,” said U.S. Atty.Gen.Pam Bondi in a statement. “The Department of Justice takes these threats with the utmost seriousness and will prosecute this crime to the fullest extent of the law.”

The grand jury indictment detailing Streavel’s actions was unsealed, revealing a series of threatening posts made in the days following the 2024 election. According to the Justice Department, Streavel posted, “[T]rump is a dead man walking for the time being until a patriot like myself blows his [expletive] brains out in the very near future,” on Nov. 6.

Other posts included statements such as, “willing to make America great again and blow his [expletive] brains out,” and “Let me put a bullet right between the ears of your president-elect…That’s my purpose for living.” He also posted, “I’m praying for a accomplished assassination of your president-elect,” and “my life’s mission is killing the worthless LOSER [expletive] and my mission starts tonight so watch yourself trump [sic]you are a dead [expletive] and I am your assassin.”

Some of Streavel’s posts predated the election.On Oct. 15,he wrote,”today is the perfect day to blow his brains out and I’d love to be the one to pull the trigger.”

The Secret Service is also investigating the threats. United States Atty. Bill Essayli stated,”The type of rhetoric and threats made by this defendant are similar to those that lead to an attempt on the President’s life last year.There is no place for political violence or threats of violence in the United States.”

President Trump was injured in a shooting at a campaign rally in Butler, Pa., on July 13. The shooting left one rally attendee dead and two critically injured, and the unidentified gunman was killed by the Secret Service, according to that agency. Additionally, on Sept.15, at Trump’s West Palm Beach, Fla.,golf course,a Secret Service agent saw the muzzle of an AK-47-style weapon pointing out of the tree line on the perimeter of the course.Trump was unharmed in the second attempt on his life in two months.

“Let me put a bullet right between the ears of your president-elect…That’s my purpose for living.”

Understanding Federal Threat Laws

Federal law prohibits making threats against the President of the united States.These laws are in place to protect the President and ensure the safety and stability of the government. Here’s a closer look at the legal framework surrounding such threats.

The Legal Definition of a Threat

A threat, in a legal context, is a statement or action that conveys an intent to cause harm or injury to another person.For a statement to be considered a true threat, it must be clear, unequivocal, and specific enough to convey a serious intention to inflict harm.The U.S. Supreme Court has addressed the issue of what constitutes a true threat, balancing the need to protect individuals from violence and the First Amendment’s guarantee of free speech.

The specific statute under which Thomas Eugene Streavel is charged is likely 18 U.S.Code § 871, which makes it a felony to knowingly and willfully threaten to take the life of, kidnap, or inflict bodily harm upon the President of the United States. The penalties for violating this statute can include a fine, imprisonment for up to five years, or both (Cornell Law).The Secret Service is typically responsible for investigating such threats (U.S. Secret Service).